Sorry Clark, media can and does influence learning | W2 Q2 | Forum

Considering both sides of the Clark-Kozma media debate, I believe that media will and does influence learning. Simply put, media allows learners to conceive of contexts and interactions that they may not otherwise be able to create. This can manifest in the physical, mental, and/or affective interactions that students find themselves as they construct knowledge. The examples presented by Kozma (1994, p. 12) are a good representation of how media can bring knowledge constructs students are unfamiliar with into the learning context. Particular learning contexts may also be situation based, in our current context learners are forced to be in their home environment rather than the optimal learning environment to acquire particular skills. For example, students who are being trained in early education cannot go to classrooms; however, the advent of different technology has made it possible for these students to continue their learning through detailed simulations. Their learning is continuing to be active, constructive, and socially meaningful to the best extent possible. The role of media is to complement the learning process without undue constraints on the cognitive and social aspects of learning.