New Paradigm in Education: Could it
be Perceptionism?
Mayıs 2, 2025
Egitimde-yeni-paradigma-algicilik-olabilir-mi?
This excerpt from “Aklımda Kalanlar” by Prof. Dr. M. Yaşar Özden explores the concept of a new paradigm in education, suggesting it might be perceptionism. The author discusses how societal changes brought about by technological advancements, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence, are shifting the focus from knowing and doing to how we perceive information. The piece highlights the impact of the “post-truth” era and social media on learning, suggesting that individuals’ perceptions, shaped by these environments, are becoming the foundation for new forms of learning. It contrasts this emerging paradigm with established learning theories like behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism, arguing for a shift in how education approaches information in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Briefing Document: A
New Paradigm in Education – Perceptionism
Source: Excerpts from “Eğitimde Yeni Paradigma:
Algıcılık olabilir mi? New paradigm in education: Could it be perceptionism –
Aklımda Kalanlar” by Prof. Dr. M. Yaşar Özden.
Date of Source: March 13, 2024
Author Background
(from source): Prof. Dr.
M. Yaşar Özden is a specialist in teacher education, distance education,
multimedia applications on the internet, web design and programming, and
currently focuses on Generative AI (GPT) applications in Education. He has a
strong background in adapting curricula to online spaces and is recognized in
science education and its impact on learning communities.
Main Themes:
- The Impact of Technological Advancements
on Education: The
source argues that rapid technological changes, particularly the rise of
AI and the “post-truth” era, necessitate a fundamental shift in
educational paradigms.
- The “Post-Truth” Era and its Educational
Implications: The
author highlights the significant impact of the post-truth era,
characterized by the prevalence of emotional and personal beliefs over
objective facts, on how information is consumed and perceived.
- The Emergence of “Perceptionism” as a New
Learning Paradigm: The
core argument is that the traditional learning theories (Behaviorism,
Cognitivism, Constructivism) are insufficient to explain learning in the
current digital and post-truth environment, proposing “Perceptionism” as a
potential new paradigm.
- The Shifting Nature of Schools and
Learning Environments: The
concept of the traditional physical school is being replaced by
distributed, digital learning environments, influenced by social media and
AI tools.
- The Need for Critical Thinking and Media
Literacy: The author
emphasizes the critical importance of equipping students with skills to
navigate misinformation, evaluate information critically, and identify
manipulation in the post-truth landscape.
Most Important
Ideas and Facts:
- Paradigm Shift is Inevitable: The author asserts that just as
industrial revolutions led to changes in societal paradigms and
consequently in education, the current technological revolution demands a
new educational paradigm.
- From Knowing to Doing to Producing with
AI: The author
revises his earlier statement “Knowing is not enough, being able to do is
necessary,” acknowledging that AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini
have taken over the “knowing” and much of the “doing.” The new emphasis is
on individuals using this readily accessible information to produce.
- The Post-Truth Definition: The source provides a definition of
“Post-truth”: “Post-truth, objektif gerçeklik ve gerçeklikle
ilgili olguların, duygusal ve kişisel inançlardan veya ideolojik
görüşlerden daha az etkili olduğu bir durumu tanımlar” (Post-truth
is a term that defines a situation where objective reality and facts
related to reality are less influential than emotional and personal
beliefs or ideological views). It also notes that the increase in
information accessibility in the post-truth era is linked to a rise in
information pollution, misinformation, and manipulation, exacerbated by
social media.
- Social Media’s Role in Shaping Perception: The author highlights how social
media facilitates the rapid spread of information, including fabricated
“truths,” which can be difficult to control and can lead to the formation
of new perceptions and potentially “non-learnings.”
- Perceptionism Defined: “Algıcılık (Perceptionism)
yaklaşımında ise öğrenmeyi “algıdaki değişim” olarak tanımlayabiliriz.” (In
the Perceptionism approach, we can define learning as “change in
perception.”) This new paradigm suggests that learning in the post-truth
environment is fundamentally shaped by perceptions formed within the
social environment, independent of the individual.
- Elements Influencing Learning in a
Perceptionist Environment:Active Engagement: Being an active user of social
networks.
- Construction of Meaning: Individuals interpreting post-truth
perceptions formed in the social environment through their own experiences
and mental frameworks, integrating them into existing cognitive
structures.
- Social Interaction: Social interaction is acknowledged
as important for co-constructing meaning, and in the context of the
post-truth environment, it can enhance the learning experience of
artificial realities.
- The “My School in the Cloud” Concept: The traditional school concept is
being replaced by decentralized, digital learning environments (“My School
in the Cloud”) on social media, without geographical constraints, where
digital tools are widely used, and learning is time and place-independent.
- Shift from Knowledge Acquisition to
Information Utilization for Production: Education is evolving towards individuals accessing
information instantly through AI tools and using this information to
become productive, rather than focusing on merely knowing or memorizing.
- Outdated Educational Practices: The author suggests that traditional
methods like PowerPoint presentations and rote memorization for
multiple-choice questions are no longer sufficient in this new paradigm.
- The Dual Nature of AI in Education: AI-powered environments have the
potential for both beneficial and undesirable outcomes in education.
Key Takeaways for
Educational Practice:
- Educators need to acknowledge the profound
impact of the post-truth era and AI on how students perceive and learn.
- The focus of education must shift from
knowledge transmission to developing critical thinking, media literacy,
and the ability to evaluate information critically.
- Students need to be taught how to identify
misinformation and manipulation in the digital environment.
- The potential of AI tools for positive
educational uses needs to be explored and leveraged.
- Learning environments are becoming
increasingly digital and decentralized, requiring new approaches to
teaching and learning.
- The ability to utilize readily available
information to produce new things is becoming more important than simply
knowing facts.
Quotes:
- “Post-truth, objektif gerçeklik ve
gerçeklikle ilgili olguların, duygusal ve kişisel inançlardan veya
ideolojik görüşlerden daha az etkili olduğu bir durumu tanımlar.” (Post-truth is a term that defines a
situation where objective reality and facts related to reality are less
influential than emotional and personal beliefs or ideological views.)
- “Post-truth dönemi, bilginin
erişilebilirliğinin artmasıyla birlikte, bilgi kirliliği, yanlış
bilgilendirme ve manipülasyonun da artmasıyla ilişkilendirilir.” (The post-truth period is associated
with the increase in information pollution, misinformation, and
manipulation as information accessibility increases.)
- “Sosyal medyanın etkisiyle, bilgi ve
haberler hızla yayılabilir ve kontrol edilmesi zor olabilir, bu da
post-truth ortamının yayılmasına katkıda bulunur.” (With the effect of social media,
information and news can spread rapidly and be difficult to control, which
contributes to the spread of the post-truth environment.)
- “Algıcılık (Perceptionism) yaklaşımında
ise öğrenmeyi “algıdaki değişim” olarak tanımlayabiliriz.” (In the Perceptionism approach, we
can define learning as “change in perception.”)
- “Bilmek yetmez, Yapabilmek gerekir,
bilenler kusura bakmasın ChatGPT’yi (Google Gemini’yi vb.) işe aldık
şeklinde oldu.” (It
became “Knowing is not enough, being able to do is necessary, excuse those
who know, we hired ChatGPT (Google Gemini etc.).”)
- “Artık bildiğimiz okul kavramının yerini
“Benim Okulum Bulutta” kavramı almakta…” (Now the concept of school as we know it is being replaced by
the concept of “My School in the Cloud”…)
This briefing document
summarizes the central arguments and significant points presented in the
provided source, emphasizing the author’s perspective on the need for a new
educational paradigm (“Perceptionism”) in response to the technological
advancements and the rise of the post-truth era.
Education in the
Post-Truth Era: Understanding Perceptionism
Study Guide
This study guide is
designed to help you review the concepts presented in the excerpt “Eğitimde
Yeni Paradigma: Algıcılık olabilir mi? New paradigm in education: Could it be
perceptionism – Aklımda Kalanlar” by Prof. Dr. M. Yaşar Özden. The excerpt
explores the evolving landscape of education in the context of technological
advancements, particularly artificial intelligence, and the emergence of a
“post-truth” era, proposing “perceptionism” as a potential new paradigm for
learning.
Key Concepts:
- Paradigm: A term used to describe a worldview,
knowledge base, and a set of guidelines that determine how a group of
people thinks and behaves within a specific time frame. Paradigms change
in response to environmental shifts and the evolving meaning assigned to
life.
- Industrial Revolutions: Significant historical periods
marked by major technological and societal changes that have profoundly
impacted life and consequently shifted existing paradigms.
- Technological Advancements: The rapid development of
technologies like the Internet of Things, Web 3.0, Machine Learning, and
Artificial Intelligence, which are creating new questions and
possibilities in various aspects of life, including education.
- Shift in Skill Emphasis: The transition from simply knowing
information to the necessity of being able to do things
with that information, especially with the advent of tools like ChatGPT
and Google Gemini.
- Post-Truth Era: A period where objective facts and
reality are less influential in shaping public opinion and discourse than
emotional appeals, personal beliefs, and ideological perspectives. This
era is characterized by increased information pollution, misinformation,
and manipulation, exacerbated by the rapid spread of information through
social media.
- Perceptionism (Algıcılık): Proposed as a potential new paradigm
in education, particularly relevant in the post-truth era. It is a
philosophical and psychological approach that focuses on how individuals
perceive, process, and interpret sensory information from their environment.
It emphasizes the role of individual perception, influenced by social
environment and the construction of meaning, as the basis for new
learning.
- Perception: The process of processing and
interpreting sensory information received from the external world through
our sense organs. It allows us to notice and make sense of objects,
events, sounds, smells, and tactile sensations.
- Evolution of Learning Theories: The excerpt traces the historical
progression of dominant learning theories in response to changing
paradigms:
- Behaviorism: Learning is defined by observable
changes in behavior, assuming learning occurs independently of the
individual if the environment and materials are well-designed. Individual
differences and social interaction are secondary.
- Cognitivism: Learning is defined as a change in
knowledge, comparing the mind to a computer that stores information in
short-term and long-term memory. Knowledge is seen as the same for
everyone, although personal differences exist, and social environment is
acknowledged.
- Constructivism: Learning is defined as the
construction of meaning, which is entirely individual and influenced by
past knowledge and social environment. Social environment is emphasized as
highly influential in meaning-making.
- Perceptionism: Learning is defined as a change in
perception. New learning is fundamentally based on perceptions formed
within the social environment, particularly in the post-truth context.
- Factors Influencing Learning in
Perceptionism:Active Engagement: Active use of social networks.
- Construction of Meaning: Individuals interpret post-truth
perceptions created in the social environment based on their own
experiences and mental frameworks, integrating them into existing
cognitive structures to form deeper understanding.
- Social Interaction: Accepted as important in learning,
interaction with peers, teachers, and the wider community provides
opportunities for collaborative meaning-making and increases exposure to
artificial realities constructed in the post-truth environment.
- Challenges of the Post-Truth Era for
Education: The
potential for AI-supported environments to be used for harmful purposes,
the erosion of critical thinking skills, the difficulty in accessing
accurate information, and the encouragement of emotionally or
ideologically driven decisions rather than evidence-based ones.
- Importance of Media Literacy and Critical
Thinking: The need
to equip students with the skills to think critically, evaluate
information, identify misleading information, and recognize manipulation
tactics in the post-truth era.
- “My School in the Cloud” (Benim Okulum
Bulutta): The
concept that the traditional idea of school is evolving into a paradigm
where learning occurs in virtual environments, free from the constraints
of physical location or time, utilizing various digital tools and AI.
Learning shifts from knowing information to accessing it instantly and
using it to produce.
Quiz
Answer the following
questions in 2-3 sentences each.
- What is a paradigm and why are paradigm
shifts considered inevitable?
- How have the industrial revolutions
impacted educational paradigms?
- According to the author, how has the
emphasis in required skills shifted in the face of new technologies?
- Define the “Post-Truth Era” as described
in the excerpt.
- How does the rise of social media
contribute to the “Post-Truth Era”?
- What is “Perceptionism” as proposed in the
excerpt?
- Briefly explain how learning is defined in
the Behaviorist approach.
- How does the Constructivist approach
differ from Behaviorism and Cognitivism in defining learning?
- What is the primary factor influencing
learning in the Perceptionist approach?
- Why is media literacy considered important
for students in the context of the post-truth era and perceptionism?
Essay Format Questions
Consider the following
questions for potential essay responses. Do not provide answers in this
section.
- Analyze and evaluate the author’s argument
for “Perceptionism” as a new paradigm in education. How does it build upon
or depart from previous learning theories like Behaviorism, Cognitivism,
and Constructivism?
- Discuss the implications of the
“Post-Truth Era” and the increasing use of artificial intelligence on the
role of the educator and the design of learning environments.
- The author suggests that the traditional
concept of “school” is evolving into “My School in the Cloud.” Explore the
potential benefits and challenges of this shift towards digital and
AI-supported learning environments.
- How can educational systems effectively
equip students with the critical thinking skills and media literacy
necessary to navigate the information landscape of the post-truth era?
- Examine the relationship between social
interaction and the construction of meaning in the context of the proposed
Perceptionist paradigm. How might social media and AI tools influence this
interaction?
Glossary of Key Terms
- Paradigma: A term used to describe a worldview,
knowledge base, and a set of guidelines that determine how a group of
people thinks and behaves within a specific time frame.
- Endüstri Devrimleri (Industrial
Revolutions): Significant
historical periods marked by major technological and societal changes.
- Nesnelerin İnterneti (Internet of Things –
IoT): The network of
physical objects—”things”—that are embedded with sensors, software, and
other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with
other devices and systems over the internet.
- WEB 3.0: The potential next phase of the internet, envisioned as a
decentralized web powered by blockchain technology, artificial
intelligence, and machine learning.
- Makina Öğrenmesi (Machine Learning): A type of artificial intelligence
(AI) that allows software applications to become more accurate at
predicting outcomes without being explicitly programmed to do so.
- Yapay Zeka (Artificial Intelligence – AI): The simulation of human intelligence
processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes
include learning, reasoning, and self-correction.
- Post-truth (Hakikat Sonrası Dönem): A situation where objective facts
are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and
personal belief.
- Algıcılık (Perceptionism): A proposed new paradigm in
education, particularly relevant in the post-truth era, that focuses on
how individuals perceive, process, and interpret sensory information as
the basis for new learning, heavily influenced by social environment.
- Algı (Perception): The process of processing and
interpreting sensory information received from the external world through
our sense organs, allowing us to notice and make sense of our
surroundings.
- Davranışçı Yaklaşım (Behaviorism): A learning theory where learning is
defined by observable changes in behavior, focusing on the environmental
stimuli and behavioral responses.
- Bilişselci Yaklaşım (Cognitivism): A learning theory where learning is
defined as a change in knowledge, focusing on mental processes like
memory, problem-solving, and information processing.
- Oluşturmacı/Yapılandırmacı Yaklaşım
(Constructivism): A
learning theory where learning is defined as the construction of meaning,
emphasizing the active role of learners in building their own
understanding based on experiences and interactions.
- Aktif Katılım (Active Engagement): Actively participating in
activities, particularly in the context of social networks in the
Perceptionist paradigm.
- Anlamın İnşası (Construction of Meaning): The process by which individuals
build their own understanding and interpretation of information,
influenced by prior knowledge and experiences.
- Sosyal Etkileşim (Social Interaction): The way people communicate and
interact with each other, considered important for collaborative learning
and meaning-making in the proposed paradigms.
- Medya Okuryazarlığı (Media Literacy): The ability to access, analyze,
evaluate, and create media in a variety of forms.
Quiz Answer Key
- A paradigm is a worldview and knowledge
base that determines how a group of people thinks and behaves within a
specific time frame. Paradigm shifts are considered inevitable because
they occur in response to changes in the environment and how people assign
meaning to their experiences.
- The industrial revolutions have profoundly
impacted life through technological and production changes, leading to
necessary changes in human profiles and consequently bringing about
corresponding changes in education and teaching paradigms.
- The author suggests that the emphasis has
shifted from simply knowing information to needing to be able to do things
with that information, especially now that AI tools can instantly access
knowledge.
- The Post-Truth Era is a period where
objective facts are less influential than emotions, personal beliefs, and
ideological views in shaping public opinion and discourse.
- Social media contributes to the Post-Truth
Era by facilitating the rapid spread of information, including
misinformation and manipulation, which can be difficult to control and can
quickly create and propagate new “realities” or perceptions.
- Perceptionism is a proposed new paradigm
in education, particularly for the post-truth era, that suggests learning
is defined as a change in perception, heavily influenced by the social
environment and the construction of artificial realities.
- In the Behaviorist approach, learning is
defined by observable changes in an individual’s behavior, assuming that
learning will occur independently of the individual if the learning
environment and materials are well-designed.
- Constructivism differs by defining
learning as the individual construction of meaning, which is unique to
each person and heavily influenced by their past knowledge and social
environment, whereas Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior and
Cognitivism on internal knowledge storage.
- The primary factor influencing learning in
the Perceptionist approach is the change in perception, which is shaped by
the social environment and the constructed realities within it,
particularly in the post-truth context.
- Media literacy is considered important for
students in the post-truth era and the context of perceptionism because it
equips them with the skills to critically evaluate information, discern
accurate information from misinformation, and recognize manipulation
tactics prevalent in the current information landscape.