elearnspace

A short two minute video exploring the Ellsberg Paradox. Ellsberg paradox forms the basis of ambiguity aversion – where we are inclined to ignore or shy away from uncertainty by favoring what is known. We essentially prefer what is known and exhibit this behaviour in making choices. I wonder to what degree the aversion of ambiguity and the unknown plays in educators resisting the adoption of technology. While the original Ellsberg paradox was concerned more specifically with choice between two options – one with known conditions and the second with unknown conditions – I think it’s obvious that we are more inclined in teaching and learning to pursue conditions with which we are acquainted. I suspect many educators resist technology use not because they feel it works or doesn’t work, but rather on the basis of familiarity and comfort with established habits (bounded conditions). Which in turn would suggest that we would make much more progress getting people to actually try blogging/wikiing/podcasting/secondlifing than to spend time convincing them of the academic value.