Engagement

“Because it promoted critical thinking and active engagement rather than merely passive information consumption, this online learning environment felt more captivating.'“

Personalization

“It absolutely felt like it was responding to my thinking and judgment.”

“I felt it was very personal. It was responding to my thinking because it gave specific feedback and quoted me.””

Realism

”Even though I knew they [fictional characters in the simulation] weren’t real, it still made me react emotionally, either feeling a little proud if they ‘liked’ what I said, or slightly defensive if they didn’t.”

“I liked how realistic it was, because that’s exactly how public discourse works online.”

Expanding Thinking Skills

“[The experience] challenged me to get in the head space of someone who has different [views].”

“It allowed me to actively participate and really imagine me on both sides of political [issues].”

“I believe that tools like this represent the future of education, in which technology improves, not replaces,
critical thinking.”