Does the Situation Matter?

Turns out there are two major theories about how people learn. One is based on cognitive psychology and centers around the idea that the human brain functions like a computer. Information in - information out. This notion would support the idea of standardized testing that seems to be so popular today with everyone but students and teachers (what do they know?).

Another major school of thought (pun intended) focuses on learning as it relates to the social situation. This theory, made popular by a Russian psychologist named Lev Vygotsky, says humans must interact with each other, using cultural tools and language in order to learn. This is known as situativity theory.

Most people who study this sort of thing (which now includes me) agree that the key to learning is a combination of cognitive processes (in the head) and situativity (social interaction).

So what does this mean for modern-day journalism? It means not to discount the power of social networking tools like wikis, Facebook and Twitter! If people start passing around legitimate news stories on sites like those (in addition to updates about their moods and faves) - they are likely to be better informed. Also, the reader's ability to interact with the information could increase their understanding of it.

Take a look at sites like the Las Vegas Sun, which offers interactive graphics to show everything from a timeline of the Strip to flight delays. Or go to Minnesota Public Radio, where you can play a federal budget game and immediately see the impacts of your choices.

Could it be that the Web 2.0 emphasis on interactivity, social networking and user-generated content amounts to more than just performing cool tech tricks and finding old friends? Those cultural tools could be the digital keys to helping people stay informed. Quality journalists will always be necessary to supply the stories - but a new focus needs to be placed by the media on how people can interact with the information and in what form it is most effectively delivered to them.