Sunday, January 17, 2010

Evaluating and Identifying Online Resources

Evaluating and Identifying Online Resources

Following this weeks learning topics of the brain and learning, information processing theory, and problem solving methods during the learning process I was required to locate sites and resources which I found valuable and resourceful. The first on my list contributed a wealth of information that was very easy to understand and thorough in defining brain based learning. This site http://www.funderstanding.com/content/brain-based-learning explained that absent any abnormality the brain will learn and that most forms of learning will be constant. This site discusses how many forms of traditional learning actually inhibits the brains natural learning processes. “Educators need to help students have appropriate experiences and capitalize on those experiences (funderstanding, 2008)”. This site goes on to discuss the importance of gaining feedback from students and the importance of developing lessons which utilize all learning styles or “brain friendly environments” (funderstanding,2008). I like the forum it provides instructional designers and links to make learning fun. Educators can take brain quizzes and research topics like emotional intelligence and spatial reasoning.

The next site http://www.edupr.com/brain24.html delves into the topic of discovering “ways to improve student memory, learning and achievement in today's distracted, digital society” (L&B society,2009). This cite offers a compilation of research from prestigious universities along with over thirty links to authors articles and research of students and e learning in the 21st century. As Instructional designers we all have to approach student learning and brain based learning inclusive of today’s society and its ongoing technological advancements. This site understands how hyper paced living has affected many of us and offers tips on how instructional designers can effectively approach an overwhelmed, overstimulated and over stressed learner. Here members can participate in social network, share lesson plans and stay up to date with new tools being added quite frequently.

Information Processing Theory and Problem- Solving methods during the learning process

Every site I browsed for the topic of information processing theory all pointed to expert George Miller http://tip.psychology.org/miller.html . Every other site seems to refer to Millers theoretical ideas and insight. Miller was the first to document the concept of short term memory, and the TOTE theory of problem solving. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_processing_theory gives a better description of the IP theory and explains “just as the computer can be made into a better information processor by changes in its hardware (e.g., circuit boards and microchips) and its software (programming), so do children become more sophisticated thinkers through changes in their brains and sensory systems (hardware) and in the rules and strategies (software) that they learn” (wikipedia.org, 2010). Although this site refers to the child learner the same information is true for our adult learners. Wikipedia breaks down the processes through which we all gather, filter, store and retrieve information. I found this site most useful in gaining a complete understanding of the information processing theory. Author W. Huitt http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/infoproc.html discussed the information processing approach to cognition in great detail making mention of other theories such as stage theory model and parallel- distributed processing. This cite also builds on Miller’s theory of information processing but give an advanced and more modern perspective.

Craig Rusbult offers insight into problem solving in education http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/think/methods.htm. Mr. Rusbult discusses the importance of problem based activities along with ways to motivate students to think into the future and solve a current problem. He also stresses the need to develop and exercise critical thinking skills in students. Mr. Rusbult offers up some new ways to teach thinking skills and problem solving skills, along with over twenty resources embedded in his website. I found this site useful for finding selective, highly specialized information from tenured professionals and scholars.

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