Transfer, simulation and the limits to education

In the faculty of Instructional Science and Technology (IST) of the University of Twente and in the Center for Innovation and Cooperative Technology (CICT) of the University of Amsterdam methods for control are studied that use as their medium for delivery the process of interaction itself (and take positive transfer and increase of quality as control-invariants). A computer simulation environment (called TILTPLAY) is built. Human participants (players) steer individual agents visible on their screens. Each player has its own screen and computer in a network. Players are instructed to avoid dropping off a simulated platform while having to move simultaneously. In addition they are encouraged to collect packages visible on the platform, again doing so without loosing balance. The main dependent variable is the form and amount of information that players can provide to each other, and are willing to use to control their interaction. The main independent variables are ‘the number of interacting players’, ‘urgency to act’ and mode of interaction. In the future positive transfer for coordinated and cooperative behavior should become a prime dependent variable.