The Brain and Learning

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

Levels of Processing in the Human Memory

“What is the best way to process information if you wish to remember that event at a later day” (Gernsbacher, Pew, Hough, Pomerantz, Bjork & Bjork, 2011, p. 76), basically how does one encode and then retrieve information?  The chapter, Level of Processing in Human Memory, focuses on how this is related to cognitive activities, such as, attention, perception, thinking and learning.   For an instructional designer to construct learning experiences that are current and effective they need to be aware of what levels of interaction and engagement is a suitable methodology.  This chapter in the text Psychology and the Real World, discusses various experiments and results relating to memory and cognitive activities.

Problem Solving and the Learning Process

In this blog, Melissa (no last name) discusses three tiers of problem solving; the first is directing the strategies to the classroom as a basic activity.  The second is to “implement (the strategies) in a team or group environment” (NMN, 2011).  Lastly, the third strategy is to give students the opportunity to complete the activity independently.   Melissa is a student of Instructional Design which makes this blog a great resource and she includes many scholarly ideas and links.

Gernsbacher, M. A., Pew, R. W., Hough, L. M., Pomerantz, J. R., Bjork, E. L., & Bjork, R. A. (2011). Psychology and the real world. New York: Worth Pub. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=8MH_KNE_9qwC&printsec

N.M.N, M. (2011, November 12). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://teachlady.edublogs.org/2011/11/12/problem-solving-methods-during-the-learning-process/

WK1AssgnSmithM

Aside from our initial blog assignment, I reflected whether there was a tangible reason I needed to blog for this course (something I have never done). Two prevalent thoughts came to mind; the first being that the course/program is online – why not use the technology that I am already using as an alternative to turning in a paper. The second was how could  I be anything but excited about having a new experience that will only help me grow in my chosen field.  So after researching which blog to use and learning and understand new terms…here I am…welcome to my blog!

Mikah Jenae

I find Mikah J Pritchard’s blog full of relevant and instructive information. As she states, “I love technology, education and psychology. I have found a way to bring my passions together with instructional design” (Pritchard, 2011).  She discusses topics such as: Course Management Systems (CSM), Educational Technology, Instructional Objectives, Instructional Technology, and Transitions from Paper to Internet. The topics include step-by-step guides to help enable new (and seasoned) users to try and use a variety of different learning/teaching technologies.

Cathy Moore

Cathy Moore’s blog resonated with me because it is instructional design from a business perspective versus a higher education perspective. She states, “On this site, you’ll get ideas that will help you develop action-packed learning materials for working adults” (Moore, 2013).  She has an extensive and impressive list of commercial clients from around the globe. A few of the recent posted blogs were on topics such as: The Big Mistake in eLearning, Can We Use Training to Motivate and a variety of different techniques to action mapping the design process.

Julie Tausend

Julia Tausend blog mainly focuses on “Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Educational practices, application and theory” (Tausend, 2012). I appreciate that she included theory as a focus, as we have learned how important it is for an instructional designer to have this knowledge to be effective.

Resources

Moore, C. (2013, June 10). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://blog.cathy-

moore.com/

Pritchard, M. (2011, May 10). [Web log message]. Retrieved from

http://www.mikahjenae.blogspot.com/

Tausend, J. (2012, September 24). [Web log message]. Retrieved from

http://julietausend.com/