Sunday, March 14, 2010
Problem Solving & Information Processing Theory
Problem Solving Methods during Learning : This is an article from ERIC’s clearinghouse about Elementary and Early Childhood Education written by Britz Joan. She emphasizes how problem solving should be looked at as a foundation of a young child’s learning. In her explanation about how children learn through problem solving, she made mention of children’s social relations and play methods using manipulative as some of the ways they interact with others.
In addition, Joan talks about the teachers’ role in the problem solving by modeling the intended method for students to emulate. She states that the teachers’ role is in two folds: 1. To value the problem and be prepared to trust the students; 2. Be able to establish and maintain classroom environment that encourages the problem solving. She made an interesting point that “the teacher must be willing to be a learner too, by being curious, observing, listening, and questioning.” As a result, the teacher shares and models the qualities that are valued and promoted by the problem-solving process.
Furthermore, this article is rich with extra information such as some ways to plan for problem solving; what to do as a teacher in providing time, space, and materials necessary for in-depth learning; the four steps that make up the problem solving model; and last but not the least, some examples of choosing good problems.
Information Processing Theory: The author of my second article about information process theory is called George Miller. He presented two theoretical suggestions that are generally important to the information theory’s framework and cognitive psychology. The first suggestion he discusses is “chunking” and the capacity of the working memory. According to Miller, a chunk is refers to as digits, words, chess positions, and or people’s faces. Also he presented the idea that a short-term memory could only hold 5-9 chunks of information at a time.
The second concept that Miller discusses was that the information process uses computer as a replica for human learning. Similar to the computer, the human mind receives information; performs operations on the information received in order to change its form and content; and finally stores and locates the information so as to generate response to it. In other words, the above process is referred to as encoding, retaining, and retrieving information. During the process of encoding, humans are able to transform information from one format into another. Through retaining, the information is kept in the short/long-term memory for later use. Finally, during the retrieving process, one is able bring back what has been stored in the past.
In addition, Joan talks about the teachers’ role in the problem solving by modeling the intended method for students to emulate. She states that the teachers’ role is in two folds: 1. To value the problem and be prepared to trust the students; 2. Be able to establish and maintain classroom environment that encourages the problem solving. She made an interesting point that “the teacher must be willing to be a learner too, by being curious, observing, listening, and questioning.” As a result, the teacher shares and models the qualities that are valued and promoted by the problem-solving process.
Furthermore, this article is rich with extra information such as some ways to plan for problem solving; what to do as a teacher in providing time, space, and materials necessary for in-depth learning; the four steps that make up the problem solving model; and last but not the least, some examples of choosing good problems.
Information Processing Theory: The author of my second article about information process theory is called George Miller. He presented two theoretical suggestions that are generally important to the information theory’s framework and cognitive psychology. The first suggestion he discusses is “chunking” and the capacity of the working memory. According to Miller, a chunk is refers to as digits, words, chess positions, and or people’s faces. Also he presented the idea that a short-term memory could only hold 5-9 chunks of information at a time.
The second concept that Miller discusses was that the information process uses computer as a replica for human learning. Similar to the computer, the human mind receives information; performs operations on the information received in order to change its form and content; and finally stores and locates the information so as to generate response to it. In other words, the above process is referred to as encoding, retaining, and retrieving information. During the process of encoding, humans are able to transform information from one format into another. Through retaining, the information is kept in the short/long-term memory for later use. Finally, during the retrieving process, one is able bring back what has been stored in the past.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Food for Thought
My quest and passion for creativity has moved me to the direction of instructional design and technology. While hunting for interesting and concise blog to read for comprehension in order to produce a descent assignment, I stumbled upon quite a few fascinating ones that are just right for my expedition. In fact, I came to love the learning design theories principles by Mike Taylor, as it relates to this course. The science center blog was another favorites of mine since creating a science center is one of my agendas for the next school year. Finally, my dilemma of either finding a job in private or public school for next school year has made a step forward after reading my third blog, grass is greener. I hope you enjoy and learn something out of these three interesting blogs.
The first blog: Learning Design Principles by Mike Tailor takes you to the world of multimedia presentation on learning design principles. It clearly and vividly discusses eight learning principles with neat explanatory visuals. These learning design principles comprise with split attention principles - don’t split elements in space or time; the modality principle - narration plus picture, text plus pictures, and text; cognitive load principle - 2-4 elements of new information; redundancy principle - no repeats; coherence principle - no extras does not add to instructional goal; signaling principle - cues directs learners attention; segment principles - chunk into learner-paced segments; and pre-training principles - give learners main concepts first. In addition, you will also have access to Mike's e-portfolio, which is one of our major components in this course. This is a hands-on mind-on presentation that you will not want to miss. Love it!
Learning Design Principles
The second blog: Elementary Science Center Blog by Mrs. Mikegel is a neat science center ideas that elementary teachers together with parents would love to have access to. It consists of various elementary science topics from the beginning to the end of the school year. Some of these topics include the 5 senses, Living and Nonliving, Life Cycle, Rocks and Minerals, Day and Night, etc. It is organized for struggle-free browsing. In addition, you will find teaching tools, lesson & planning, curriculum, professional readings, and others. In my opinion, why reinvent the wheel while it is already invented for your easy access? Teachers and parents, please take advantage of this site and utilize it for the benefit of your students/children for the advancement of our communities, country, and globally as well.
Science Centers
The third blog: The Grass is Greener by an unknown teacher in DC, is his/her view about pros and cons in public and private schools. Personally, I leaned to this blog because I am in the same predicament presently. In my mind I feel trapped between looking for a job in private schools or stay and look around the public schools. As we all know, different people have different view of public and private school systems. Considering this post, I think I have found a piece of a puzzle to one of my personal questions. According to this post, the grass is greener under the feet of teachers in private schools because he/she feels there is freedom in private schools than it is in public schools. His/her description of public schools " a beast of decentralized system". Wow!
DC Teach
The first blog: Learning Design Principles by Mike Tailor takes you to the world of multimedia presentation on learning design principles. It clearly and vividly discusses eight learning principles with neat explanatory visuals. These learning design principles comprise with split attention principles - don’t split elements in space or time; the modality principle - narration plus picture, text plus pictures, and text; cognitive load principle - 2-4 elements of new information; redundancy principle - no repeats; coherence principle - no extras does not add to instructional goal; signaling principle - cues directs learners attention; segment principles - chunk into learner-paced segments; and pre-training principles - give learners main concepts first. In addition, you will also have access to Mike's e-portfolio, which is one of our major components in this course. This is a hands-on mind-on presentation that you will not want to miss. Love it!
Learning Design Principles
The second blog: Elementary Science Center Blog by Mrs. Mikegel is a neat science center ideas that elementary teachers together with parents would love to have access to. It consists of various elementary science topics from the beginning to the end of the school year. Some of these topics include the 5 senses, Living and Nonliving, Life Cycle, Rocks and Minerals, Day and Night, etc. It is organized for struggle-free browsing. In addition, you will find teaching tools, lesson & planning, curriculum, professional readings, and others. In my opinion, why reinvent the wheel while it is already invented for your easy access? Teachers and parents, please take advantage of this site and utilize it for the benefit of your students/children for the advancement of our communities, country, and globally as well.
Science Centers
The third blog: The Grass is Greener by an unknown teacher in DC, is his/her view about pros and cons in public and private schools. Personally, I leaned to this blog because I am in the same predicament presently. In my mind I feel trapped between looking for a job in private schools or stay and look around the public schools. As we all know, different people have different view of public and private school systems. Considering this post, I think I have found a piece of a puzzle to one of my personal questions. According to this post, the grass is greener under the feet of teachers in private schools because he/she feels there is freedom in private schools than it is in public schools. His/her description of public schools " a beast of decentralized system". Wow!
DC Teach
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