The Need for Coaches


Because students learn better when they have the benefit of individualized coaching, any software for learning should contain one or more embedded teachers. The air flight simulator, for example, should have videos of famous pilots. At key moments in the simulation, these pilots should pop up to tell stories targeted to the student's situation, suspending the simulation and beginning a dialogue with the student until he understands the point the "pilot-in-a-box" wants to make. Now, of course, this could be done with human instructors as well, but such instructors are not always available, nor are they all-knowing. Embedding teaching in a simulation allows for the potential of publishing the expertise of multiple teachers, making an array of experts available as needed.

History is also an important component of teaching software. If a student pilot happens to do something that was the very thing that caused a historically famous crash, wouldn't it make sense to stop the simulation and talk in detail about that particular crash? History can be a real guide in learning, especially if it is presented when it is relevant to a learner's current goals, rather than as a dry series of historical vignettes.


Next Story Dustin

Outline Where am I in the content of the book?


Give Me An Example

What Is Next

What Led To This?

What Should Be Avoided?

What Can Be Done?

Give Me Details

Give Me Background


Start Over Who Built Engines? Contact EFE Team ILS