Yes, Media Influences Learning! | W2 Q2 | Forum

I found Clark and Kozma’s debate on media and learning interesting and insightful. It was interesting to read about research on media and learning back than 30 years ago. When I read these pieces from the past, two points struck me most: the available media sources and authors’ approach to learning. While main media attributes were TV, radio, pictures and computers (to some extent) and there is no such thing like social media back then, the concept of learning was also framed by only cognitive processes (by Clark’s perspective). So, when I think about my current answer for the question of “Will or does media influence learning?”, first I think about how would I describe learning. To me, learning is not only achieving cognitive process, but also developing social, cultural and contextual perspective. Second, when I consider the variety of other available media channels from today’s world (like social media), I think our approach to use of media would change (for the learning settings). Therefore, by considering the media sources of today (like online sources and social media) and my view on learning, I would say media influence learning. For example, if I want to learn how to play ukulele, I can easily go to YouTube and follow an instructor’s channel and follow his or her courses in an affordable, practical and effective way.