The author of “Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism” introduced three relevant positions on learning (behavioral, cognitive, and constructivist) which provide a structured foundation of planning learning activities. The key takeaway that I got from the reading is, a designer should consider both the learner and the task in order to select the strategy, since there is no theory that work for all of them. While one theory might work for some situations, understanding more learning theories allow the designer to be flexible and creative with their work process.

The reading makes me think of user research methods. Before we decide to choose which method to use in the process, we conducted a preliminary study of the targeted user and the problem. Understanding more about people and things we will be working with could help a designer pick the most efficient method that lead them to the solution.

The “Cardboard modeling: Exploring, Experiencing, and Communicating” presented the use of cardboard modeling as a tool for design that helps the learners practice hard skills and allows them to explore their creativity.

Based on my design background, I had used cardboards for prototyping and conducting user tests many times. Since the material is not a fixed form but is hard enough to hold itself, a cardboard can be cut and reshaped into many different forms. I had built a phone screen, a box, a flower pot, a hand wrist, and many other things from cardboards. Accordingly, I totally agree that it is a great tool for exploration.

Burning questions: How could tangible experience take part in the three learning schemas: behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism? Would a tangible tool like cardboard help the learners utilize their study better?