Information Processing Theory

Information Processing Theory

When I think of the words "Information Processing Theory," the computer comes to mind. The brain really works like a computer. It stores, processes and retrieves information. The computer must have been designed to function like the brain.

The writer attempts to show that the human mind does not only respond to stimuli but processes information it receives.

The theory believes that as children grow their brain becomes more mature. Thus the brain is able to function and carry out all the cognitive processes such as thinking perception, recognition, imagining, remembering, thinking, judging, reasoning, problem solving, conceptualizing, planning and more terms and applications.  Cognitive processes can stem from human language, thought, imagery and symbols. The information processing has four main pillars on which the theory is based. These pillars are in support of the cognitive models

These pillars include thinking, analysis of Stimuli, situational modification and obstacle Evaluation. Effective instructional designers cannot overlook these pillars. They are like the pillars to an individual’s house. Just as one takes time to place each pillar correctly so too these pillars are to be built on.

Other critical components are the sensory register, short term memory and long term memory.

The manner in which information passes through these memories is truly amazing.

As a prospective instructional designer I would really want to take time to help learners use short term, sensory and long term memory in the most effective way possible so that they can become efficient lifelong learners.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_processing_theory

Response to Brain Based learning. Possible Implication for on Line Learning

The writer pointed out that emotion is very critical to learning. Ormrod Jeane also identified emotion as critical component to learning. Learning should not be taken for granted. Every effort should be made by the presenter to ensure that his /her students learn. The writer left no stones unturned. That is to say several strategies to enhance learning were provided by the writer. If these strategies are employed learning will certainly be enhanced.

Of striking importance was the idea that the learner’s attention span is about 15-20 minutes. This is something that most presenters forget. Sometimes I have great difficulty in trying to convince e teachers that their lesson time frame needs to be reduced by cutting off irrelevant details. I have seen students switch off their interest after the first twenty minutes

Finally, I noticed the writer labored with on line learning and how important it is for learners to understand the method of retrieving and storing information some method cans be practiced overtime until more information is able to be stored for when needed.

On line learners were provided with clear guidance as to practices that could followed for successful learning. Certainly what striked me was the fact the the writer stressed that the visual and discussion board are very critical to the success of on line learners. Now if adults are to be taken care of in such manner. Students of primary school should by no means be shortchanged from various strategies for learning.http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Sep_05/article03.htm

Instructional designers need to this piece of information. It is very valuable and should be studied carefully.

Marne's Blog is quite an interesting blog for Instructional designers.She emphazized the role of training in an incresingly competetive environment.she points out the problem of retaining and obtaining highly skilled workers.She mentions that training will increase the likely hood of retaining workers and ensuring loyalty to the job.In addition she also made mention of the company having an advantage in making and improving its profits when training is done.

For the instructional designer this blog is quite useful and helpful. It works well in education. If individuals on the job are trained efrfectively they would be able to help students learn effectively. In otherwords educators should pass on the the knowledge of the theories of learning by training individuals who tutor students, be it aduls or children so that the students learning styles can be identified and instruction be organized to suit the learner.
 .http://coachingforpower.blogspot.com/


social network blog on Building a better Twitter chat encourages individuals to conduct twitter chat to enhance knowlege on a topic. in order words to enhance learning.The blogger has listed a few considerations for the individuals who would like to conduct twitter chat. Among them are ensuring that there is enough to talk about. For the instructional designer he/she must should be able to find interesting topics to build on topics that will interest the learners and keep them with a zeal to join in the twitter chat. I particularly like the fact that the instructional designer should not that lurkers will be present and persons may not be so inclined to join in conversation at first. Therefore training is important
http://nkilkenny.wordpress.com/


The blog ,Ideas;Instructional Desisgn for Elearning approaches. the writer of the blog deals with evaluating learning objects. He stresses that the business and the academic environments may not be the same but both need a formal reward system in place to recognize individuals who participate in the review process. He also emphazizes that recognition gives credit and trianing is vital.
The instructional designer should take note and ensure that learner is recognize appropiately for task well done . however like Ormrod J.,Schunk,D & Gredler,M puts it dont't over praise or credit.

http://ideas.blogs.com/lo/

Robert Gagne's Method should be cherished

Robert Gagne developed a theory which I have come to cherish. It is a theory which best describes how I have learnt in the past. This method may seem conventional because “Gagne has developed events of instruction in a nine step sequential process.” However for the creative, adventurous teacher these steps can be used in an unconventional manner. It may appear to be straight and rigid but it is not. It brings out ingenuity and flexibility.

The first step, Gain attention is critical to the learner. In my learning experience teachers who gained my attention with something creative which had to do with the lesson had me wrapped with excitement for new learning. Let us take an example here. If a teacher is about to teach a lesson on natural features to gain attention which is Gagne’s first step decides to post this picture on a screen

Pictures of natural features in Dominica

                         

The teacher may tell the student to observe the pictures on the screen. Then close his or her eyes and imagine standing right next to any of those sights and tell all the sounds that he or she can hear. This certainly will gain the student’s attention. The teacher may then ask the student to open his eyes now and may inform him of what is about to be learnt .This should help shaped the mind to focus on natural features in his or her environment.

The teacher may have a student mimic or role play an aspect of prior learning. This is third step in Gagne’s theory. A stimulus material such as a movie of a group on a visit to several natural features can be presented. With such stimulus material the teacher will certainly be able to have student generate or illicit good response and ideas from the video presentation. This aspect actually has a link to behaviorism and cognitivism. Constructivism can also be linked to this method particularly after learner guidance is provided and performance is elicited.

The teacher can have students write a poem on natural features or compose a song on natural features based on the movie shown and his or her experience. Having done this the teacher will provide feedback and conclude the presentation

One may ask; why should Robert’s theory be cherished? First it has met the three essential criteria for any theory. According to Clark Hull(1935) in Ormrod,J Schunk,D & Gredler Magaret (2008) Gagne’s condition of learning is the acquisition of increasingly complex structures of learned capabilities that build on prior learning.”p6 In addition, it is advised that no one set of characteristics can describe all human learning. However Gagne identified five clear varieties.

Gagne theory can work and learning can be effective using his theory.

Knowing how students learn is indeed very critical. When an instructional designer understands how students learn performance will improve.

Robert Gagne developed a theory which I have come to cherish. It is a theory which best describes how I have learnt in the past. This method may seem conventional because “Gagne has developed events of instruction in a nine step sequential process.” However for the creative, adventurous teacher these steps can be used in an unconventional manner. It may appear to be straight and rigid but it is not. It brings out ingenuity and flexibility.

The first step, Gain attention is critical to the learner. In my learning experience teachers who gained my attention with something creative which had to do with the lesson had me wrapped with excitement for new learning. Let us take an example here. If a teacher is about to teach a lesson on natural features to gain attention which is Gagne’s first step decides to post this picture on a screen

Pictures of natural features in Dominica

                         

The teacher may tell the student to observe the pictures on the screen. Then close his or her eyes and imagine standing right next to any of those sights and tell all the sounds that he or she can hear. This certainly will gain the student’s attention. The teacher may then ask the student to open his eyes now and may inform him of what is about to be learnt .This should help shaped the mind to focus on natural features in his or her environment.

The teacher may have a student mimic or role play an aspect of prior learning. This is third step in Gagne’s theory. A stimulus material such as a movie of a group on a visit to several natural features can be presented. With such stimulus material the teacher will certainly be able to have student generate or illicit good response and ideas from the video presentation. This aspect actually has a link to behaviorism and cognitivism. Constructivism can also be linked to this method particularly after learner guidance is provided and performance is elicited.

The teacher can have students write a poem on natural features or compose a song on natural features based on the movie shown and his or her experience. Having done this the teacher will provide feedback and conclude the presentation

One may ask; why should Robert’s theory be cherished? First it has met the three essential criteria for any theory. According to Clark Hull(1935) in Ormrod,J Schunk,D & Gredler Magaret (2008) Gagne’s condition of learning is the acquisition of increasingly complex structures of learned capabilities that build on prior learning.”p6 In addition, it is advised that no one set of characteristics can describe all human learning. However Gagne identified five clear varieties.

Gagne theory can work and learning can be effective using his theory.

Knowing how students learn is indeed very critical. When an instructional designer understands how students learn performance will improve.