The Brain and Learning, Information Processing Theory, and Problem-Solving Methods During the Learning Process.

MS in Instructional Design and Technology Online Learning
 

This week, our class focused on brain development and it's functioning, theories of information processing, and cognitive processing problem-solving methods during the learning process. Last week’s readings and course assignments involved exploring the historical perspectives and theories of learning, analyzing our own process(es) for learning and explaining why it is important for an instructional designer to understand the learning theory of their clients and students. In addition, we participated in a professional learning community by searching for and evaluating instructional design blogs and resources, and designing an instructional and informational blog.

In this week’s phase of my course progression, our task was to locate internet resources (web sites and/or online journals), using search engines and the Walden Library databases. My review and comment of this week’s learning and sources is as follows:

 

In the name of "Life-long Learning", have a great week!

 

Winfred
 

Brain Development and its Functioning – Structural and functional brain development and its relation to cognitive development (PDF article): http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0301051100000582/1-s2.0-S0301051100000582-main.pdf?_tid=0329113a-1e67-11e3-b8e6-00000aab0f02&acdnat=1379291533_56906d10fee33ed75f863a60e1c94fe2

This article focuses on “magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of structural and functional changes in developing human brains”; that is, in children and adolescents. The studies are largely limited to the development of pre-fontal (cortex) functioning, which covers conscious “human” thinking, including language, attention, reasoning decision making, planning, self-regulation, learning strategies, problem-solving, conscious movements, and interpretation of others’ behaviors,” (Ormrod, Schunk, & Gredler, 2009).
 

Reference:
 

Casey, B., Giedd, J., Thomas, K. (2000). Structural and functional brain development and its relation to cognitive development. Biological Psychology. Retrieved from

http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0301051100000582/1-s2.0-S0301051100000582-main.pdf?_tid=0329113a-1e67-11e3-b8e6-00000aab0f02&acdnat=1379291533_56906d10fee33ed75f863a60e1c94fe2

 

Theories of Information Processing – Information Processing:

http://www.simplypsychology.org/information-processing.html

 The author of this web article discusses the validity of cognitive psychology and its practitioners’ comparison of the human mind to computers. These comparisons include “basic assumptions” of “attention, perceptions, and short-term memory”, “an analogy of human processing” and attention, and “evaluation serial and parallel processing”.
 

Reference:
 

McLeod, S. (2008). Information Processing. Retrieved from

http://www.simplypsychology.org/information-processing.html

 

 

These teaching resources can be used in the class to help students from lower primary to secondary grades build problem-solving skills using cognitive strategies. Teachers can model theses resources, or have students work individually or in groups.
 

Reference:

 

TeachersFirst. (2013). [Search box] Problem solving. Retrieved from http://www.teachersfirst.com/search_action.cfm?searchtext=problem+solving+articles&grade_low=0&grade_high=12&searchtype=all&searchtype=all

 

Win - With Instructional Design

Hello, my name is Winfred Ridley and I am starting a blog as a means of advancing my knowledge of Instructional Design and providing information about Instructional Design opportunities and applications to my fellow classmates and others. As a teacher and "lifelong learner", I am currently enrolled in the MS in Instructional Design and Technology Online Learning program with Walden University. The name of my current course is Learning Theories and Instruction and this blog is part of my course content.

 

The field of Instructional Design (ID) applies to, is described as and is defined by many different capacities. Many people think of ID as simply training, however, it encompasses much more than that. When calculated, presented and implemented correctly, Instructional Design can bring about lasting change, improve efficiency, and make learning less difficult (Morrison, Ross, Kalman & Kemp, 2013, p. 2). ID is also the art of changing people and processes through education and training, and can take place in any organization’s internal and external environment (Beach, 2006, pp. 2-24). In other words ID "translates theory into practice" according to Ertmer and Newby (1993). As you explore my blog take the time to reflect on your learning style, learning strategies and learning theory. Learning style refers to the preferential acceptance and processing of information. Learning strategies refer to memorization, cognitive and social techniques delivered to enhance learning, and learning theories are instructional positions that provide grounds for planning relevant instructional activities (Ertmer & Newby, 1993). Whether you receive, design, plan or facilitate plan instruction understanding these concepts are essential keys to success.

 

Several of the links below provide information on learning styles, strategies, and theories. There is also a link for parents seeking to gain information about Virginia Beach City Schools and additional information for parents who may have a child or children with special needs. Please also see my comment on the Instructional Design & Development Blog link regarding "Low Cost Student Assessment".

Best Regards,

Winfred

 

Learning Styles - http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Learning_Styles.html

 

Sage Publications: Leadership and the Art of Change - http://www.sagepub.com/books/Book227235

 

Virginia Beach City Public Schools Parental Support and Information - http://www.vbschools.com/curriculum/ParentSupportCtr/index.asp

 

VBCPS Special Education Support & Information - http://www.vbschools.com/curriculum/special_ed/index.asp

 

Instructional Design & Development Blogs -
This blog is called the Instructional Design and Development Blog (A Service of the FITS Department at Depaul University and has some very interesting information for educators, as well as articles on web design. http://www.iddblog.org/?p=1562&cpage=1#comment-14749

This blog is called E-Learning Heroes and is free to join. There are a plethora of ideas for communities focused on designing quality e-learning courses. http://community.articulate.com/

Cathy Moore's blog wants to "Save The World From Boring Training! It uses humor to get it's points across. http://blog.cathy-moore.com/
 

 

References:

 

Beach, L. (2006), Leadership and the Art of Change. Sage Publications, London, UK
Cathy Moore (n.d.) Retrieved from http://blog.cathy-moore.com
E-Learning Heroes (2013) Retrieved from http://community.articulate.com/

Ertmer, P.A., & Newby, T.J. (1993), Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism:

           Comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective.
Instructional Design and Development (2013) Retrieved from http://www.iddblog.org

Morrison, G., Ross, S., Kalman, H., & Kemp, J. (2013), Designing effective instruction.

           John Wiley & Sons. Danvers, MA

Learning Styles (n.d.), Felder, R.M., Silverman, L.K., Henriques, E.R. Spurlin, J.E.,

           Litzinger, T.A., Lee, S.H., Wise, J.C., Brent, R., Felder, G.N., & Dietz, E.J. Retrieved

           from http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Learning_Styles.html

ESL Infusion Glossary (2012) Retrieved from http://www.eslinfusion.oise.utoronto.ca/Home/Background_information/Glossary.html#Learningstrategies

Sage Publications: Leadership and the Art of Change. Retrieved from

http://www.sagepub.com/books/Book227235

Virginia Beach City Public Schools Parental Support and Information. Retrieved from

http://www.vbschools.com/curriculum/ParentSupportCtr/index.asp

VBCPS Special Education Support& Information. Retrieved from

http://www.vbschools.com/curriculum/special_ed/index.asp