Brain Development and Learning

The brain is a very complex organism and it is very fascinating learning about how it works in relation to learning and retaining information. How many times have we heard the argument between left/right brain learners or how many have you wondered the true importance the brain has in relation to learning?

Myths on the brain and learning:

In Worden, Hinton, & Fischer’s article, they seek to explore five different myths (the brain is irrelevant in learning, neuroscientist know it all and teachers don’t understand research, Johnny is right brained and that is why, everyone knows you can’t learn a language after age, and girls are better at reading, but boys dominate math and science) on the relation between the brain and actual learning.

This week’s readings on the inner working of the brain gave insight on the different parts of the brain and how each system contributes to the workings of the brain and how it connects to the functions of other parts of the body. As the text outlines, there are many methods of brain research (animal studies, postmortem testing and case studies), and authors Worden, Hinton, & Fisher has recognized its value but also warned that caution is needed when reviewing research that is being done.  One of the myths that stood out to me is the myth that neuroscientist know it all and teachers don’t understand research. Through their discussion, the authors have noted that in order to support brain research and have it directly correlate to classroom education, would be a collaboration between the two fields. In doing this, contributions will be made by both scientists and teachers in an effort to formulate plans to incorporate into daily teaching practices that would enhance learning and foster an environment in which research and teaching can take place cohesively.

The information processing theory and learning disabilities

While we have a clear understanding of how the brain works on a healthy functioning human, what are the differences in the information processing theory in an individual with a learning disability? This article is interesting it seeks to understand the main difference in information processing between a “normal” individual and a learning disabled individual and what strategies can be placed to improve the learning process of a learning disabled person. In an attempt to recognize how this theory affects students with learning disabilities, Swanson (1987), has also identified that the learning environment can have a direct effect on learning processes. For many teachers, most learning happens in the classroom, and the author has indicated that the learning environment can ultimately have a direct effect on the successes or failure of a learning disabled student.

This article is the first in four series that explores information processing and learning disabilities. I found it useful in that it identifies the various factors that affect the learning process (environment, subject matter, and age) and this early research seeks to offer strategies in improving and understanding the information learning process in learning disabled individuals.

References

Swanson, H. L. (1987). Information processing theory and learning disabilities: An overview.

      Journal Of Learning Disabilities. 20(1), 3-7

Worden, J. M., Hilton, C., & Fischer, K. W. (2011). What does the brain have to do with

      learning? Phi Delta Kappan, 92(8), 8-13.

Blogging - Education of the future!!!

       Static is not the way to describe today's education systems and methods. Everyday new innovations are conceived, in an attempt to keep students motivated while still having them play an active role in the education process. While I may be new to the blogging process, the thought of expanding instruction outside of the classroom is astonishing in that we are not forced to (on the instructor side) stop the physical aspect of teaching but provide new means for students to be active participants even outside of school hours.

      While the word critique may be harsh and often associated with the negative aspects of a review, I think it is necessary for the growth in daily life. It allows others to formulate an opinion (whether negative or positive) surrounding an individual, business or organization, and offer an analysis of the thoughts presented. Today, I have chosen to examine three other instructional design blogs in hopes that I learn from their entries and they in turn, strengthen my blogging experience for future entries.

Encouraging mastery
      The birth of this blog explores the true end goal of instructional design - mastering the subject at hand. How do we go from students learning material to actually mastering the intended subject? While the popular learning model 70% (on job experience): 20% (mentoring and coaching): 10% (classroom courses and reading) is explored in this blog, it is compared to how some organizations have actually executed this model.

      The first entry post focuses on developing an educational ecosystem that will promote mastery instead of learners being competent in a particular subject matter. The attempt here is to use the existing resources (technological advances, existing learning theories, learning processes) to create a system that will not only support the phases of moments of need (learning for the first time, learning more, applying what was learned, when things go wrong and when thing change) but will also encourage mastery instead of competency.

      It would be very interesting to continue to explore this blog and follow how the author will expand on how the model applies to different organizations, and how technology will play a role in the development of this model in instructional design within the organizations. The effectiveness in this blog will come in the exploration of applying the 70:20:10 learning model and how it can be altered to fit the educational goals of different organizations.

Training victoriously
      Brian's blog explores the effective means of training. Out of the three researched blogs done, this will be the most visited. The content presented details the different aspects of training and how it can be effectively done. It does not explore any one side but from past posts on this blog, its intent is to review the different elements of training. Training is not merely presenting information to a group of individuals but starting with the presenter and the materials that the presenter has to offer.

      This site will be very useful in picking apart the different aspects of training, from inception of the training program to post survey tactics. I like that the author has recognized that not only does the materials distributed and power-point presentations need analyzing, but also the trainer themselves. The examination of the different elements in instructional design will make for life long learning in the end.

E-Learning Article Reviews
      This blog provides an essential article review of the different elements of online learning. Online learning has become such a large part of today's educational community and this blog provides various article reviews, spanning from app design for online learning to effective course design. This blog thoughtfully reviews articles on the emerging trend of online learning and provides useful elements to prepare instructors in designing an online course.

      At first glance, this blog appeared to be about organizing various articles, but on further exploration, it provided resources, book reviews, videos and podcasts for the E-teacher. I see this blog as an ongoing support system in finding not only additional articles and books for online learning, but also an abbreviated and concise overview of the article presented.