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!