Blog Post - Week 2

Our goal for this week’s post was the find two sites that elaborated upon what we read about this week in class.

The first site I found was an article on The Information Processing Approach (http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cognition/infoproc.html).  I really found that this approached our textbook reading in a more visual sense.  A little bit down on the page; you can see the model of memory based on the work of Atkinson and Shiffrin.  I like that this flow chart explains the memory confirmation procedure in a visual way, while still using the terms from the text.  It also explains the difference between short and long term memories – and then gives ways to make it work.  For example, to make rote rehearsal effective, it must be done before forgetting begins.  This is why repeating the same thing over and over doesn’t always work.  You have to actually recall it instead of just say  it – otherwise you will forget.  The chart in green at the bottom of the page is extremely helpful for teachers.  It helps us learn how to use the principles of information processing in the classroom – and gives us examples.  These tips will definitely come in handy in my room.

I have read entire textbooks on the brain as it relates to learning and one of my favorites is How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School by the National Research Council (2000).  However, the site that I would like to show that really illustrates the information in this book that I liked the most would be The Human Brain – Exercise (http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/exercise.html).  You can take tests over the individual parts of the brain processes and really start to understand how the brain makes those connections!  You can actually train your brain on this site.  While we have learned so much about how the brain interacts this week, it’s important to learn about how to increase those connections.  We have to exercise our brains.  One of the example ones is to just switch the hand you are using to control the mouse.  It’s more difficult to be precise and accurate with your motions, and, as you continue the usage, it begins to become easier to manage your actions.  This is just one way to exercise your brain – so check out this site for more examples! 

Response to Blog Post

A post that I read from 5ddigitalcomm's blog really had an impact on me.  http://5ddigitalcomm.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/video-games-and-learning/

The post is just a picture from http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2011/08/25/how-video-games-are-changing-education/ and the writer did not provide any opinion on the image they posted, but I would like to provide a bit of commentary.

I honestly do believe that video games are changing education.  I have witnessed a variety of great games that can be used in an educational sense and have taken a course on the topic, as well.  We played World of Warcraft, Runescape, Quest Atlantis, and Spore as part of the requirements for the course.  While that may not seem educational, I can easily explain the skills I received as a result of my gaming experience.  World of Warcraft taught me how to work in a collaborative environment over the Internet.  Our world is quickly progressing to the point where our children will soon be mostly working with people over the Internet in their jobs.  This game helped me learn how to create a team using assets needed to complete the quest (i.e. a Rouge to pick locks, a warrior to take the damage, a priest to heal, a warlock for their pet, etc.).  I learned problem solving skills and negotiation, constantly had to use judgement analysis and strategic thinking skills, and, of course, had to communicate and network in order to play the game.  Spore helped me think non-linearly, which is always a challenge for me.  You have to raise a little creature from a baby and start taking over the island.  However, you have to use the assets of your creature in order to do so.  It really challenged my thinking because I was always thinking outside of the box - and I had to do a bit of research on the Internet about how environments influence your evolution!  I learned a lot about evolution from this game.

I would also like to bring up another game that has recently been something that has helped me.  Again, my non-linear thinking skills need to always be challenged because I need to improve my critical thinking skills.  My students recommended to me Portal because they said it really makes you think "outside of the box."  I spent the first half hour of the game going through the same "portal" because I was "chasing" a woman that looked a bit odd.  It turned out to be me... creating a portal in the wall and then seeing myself from the other side.  My students thought it was hilarious, but then I started understanding the game.  You have to create portals in a variety of places to reach certain areas.  The goal is more or less to find yourself through a maze that seems impossible, but, with some creative and critical thought, it is definitely possible.  Portal makes you really understand physics because you have to understand how matter travels in order to beat the game.  ... I'm still on level 10.

All in all, the games that are posted on the image are some that I have played growing up, as well (i.e. Oregon Trail, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?), and I can attest that they have helped me at one point or another become a better learner.  Educational gaming is a wave that we need to jump on and not suppress.

Instructional Design Blogs Critique

1. http://edumacated.wordpress.com - Thinking Great Thoughts - I enjoyed this blog because the writer uses a variety of outside resources to make their point.  I think the writer has a great view on technology.  One of the lines I really enjoyed was right at the beginning of the most recent post: "We should be viewing technology as a tool and not as a comprehensive answer to improving learning and retention."  I think that this writer and I share the same view of technology because it should be just enhancing the teaching skills that we already have.  It's not a solution for the problem.  We cannot just stick students in front of a computer and say, "Learn."  It has to be supplemental to what we are already doing that is great in education!  I think that this will become an ongoing resource for me simply because this writer responds to articles from national newspapers (like the New York Times) and is always staying on top of their research in the instructional design industry.

2. http://5ddigitalcomm.wordpress.com - Emerging Media, Digital Media Objects - This blog was very insightful.  The post that really caught my eye was "Blooms Taxonomy and the iPad."  The writer provided a great image where they made a Blooms chart and used apps from the iPad to show the different levels.  I think this is a great way of teaching not only educators, but students that what they are doing on their iPads can actually be considered educational in a sense.  I think I'll be using this blog a considerable amount because they like to show images to explain their concepts.  Another example of this is the "Video Games and Learning" post.  I really enjoyed how this blog has links to other resources and is more focused on using technology in the classroom.

3. http://prestigetraining.wordpress.com - PrestigeTraining's Blog - The writer of this blog is also a student. I think that their views are very unique because they are always seeing things from different angles due to a different university.  Also, they are also in the industry working as an instructional designer which will help me learn about what my future may hold.  They're learning Lean Six Sigma and have two project managers, so I'm sure this blog will serve as much enjoyment, as well as educate me, later down the line.  Also, I enjoy how they explain the topics that we are learning in class.