Evaluating and Identifying Online Resources

Week 2 Blog assignment:

This week, I visited couple sites to read more about the brain and information Processing. The first site that stood out was written by Lisa Chipongian.  Retrieved from http://brainconnection.positscience.com/topics/?main=fa/brain-based. This website discussed “brain based learning”. It analyzed the difference between brain compatible education and brain antagonist. There is a strong emphasis on how the brain learns. Page1.   The Organ of Learning Page 2: Twelve Brain/Mind Learning Principles Page 3: Where Did the "12 Principles" Come From?   Practical Use of Brain/Mind Principles     Three Conditions for Learning Page 4: Real-Life Examples     Teaching and the Organ of Learning. Each of the topics discussed the connection of the brain to learning; the twelve principles according to the author are open for further revision. This makes it interesting and useful for learners.

I particularly liked the application of the brain based learning to real- life examples where relaxed alertness, orchestrated immersion, and active processing are believed to occur in successful teaching situations at all levels.

The second site is about “Problem solving skills in Education and life”. These sites featured couple other topics, but I choose to read further on “Problem solving in Design & Science.”

The information is retrieved from:  http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/think/methods.htm#problem-solving-methods. This site is very basic but clearly described the scientific methods of problem solving in connection with designing training. I feel connected to this statement” In design, a problem is any situation where you have an opportunity to make a difference to make things better.  Whenever you are thinking creatively and critically about ways to increase the quality of life (or to avoid a decrease in quality), you are actively involved in problem solving” I truly agree. The site also link to numerous useful information that I need to revisit. Although, I am very familiar with problem solving model, I am able to connect the ideas to designing learning.  Reflecting on other aspects of what I do or will do when I graduate as an Instructional Designer, Problem solving skills is applicable to any situation.

 Most problem solving models ends with “choose and implement the best alternative” I will like to add that it is vital to re-evaluate the best alternative. This is because, in some situation, the best alternative may not be applicable in a certain situation.

I also read about the myth about Scientific methods by David Snoke, a links to Problem solving skills in Education. This information exposed some of my bias about scientific conclusion on some issues. I look forward to reading more and learning. This is getting more interesting.