Design Principles for Interactive Learning Environments with Embedded Formative Assessments

Effective Learning Environments

Bransford, Brown and Cocking (2000) synthesize research on educational and cognitive neuroscience and suggest the following four key dimensions of effective learning environments. First, that they are knowledge-centered and focus on developing knowledge of the field or discipline and of strategies to develop expertise; thus, they should incorporate the language, artifacts, and essential principles on which learning in the discipline is based and model how experts work with those principles to gain increased understanding. Second, that they are learner-centered and focus on learners, building on their strengths, interests and needs, and they take individual learning styles and prior knowledge into account. Third, that they are community-centered and evolve a community of practice among like-minded learners so as to develop common goals and facilitate individual and collective work toward achieving them. The community-centered environment also provides opportunities for active participation and the development of a shared knowledge base. Finally, that they are assessment-centered and support learners’ testing of ideas by promoting ongoing reflection and feedback on practice. Such environments enable opportunities for metacognition in a sustained, coherent context.

The four dimensions outlined here can be visualized as interdependent and overlapping spheres; therefore, we might expect all of these dimensions to be present and functioning in a game, simulation or case study that is to serve as a high-quality learning environment. In the following sections I outline particular considerations for the assessment attributes of a learning environment, and then explain how a digital, interactive tool like a game, simulation, or case study is particularly well suited to help produce these attributes.