Online Resources

In our blog assignment this week we were to locate and post a new entry on two resources relating to this week’s topics: the brain and learning, information processing theory, and problem-solving methods during the learning process.  The first resource I found was entitled Learning “That’s Just Good Enough,” Isn’t. This resource explains how lean Six Sigma helped  a group of students in Fairport, New York  develop better problem solving skills that not only aided them in the classroom,  but also helped them in their personal lives and would be a useful tool in their future career endeavors. The teachers were amazed at how well the children did. As noted in the article all the children needed was a little self-empowerment. This article was intriguing and it made me want to find out more about the Six Sigma programs and how it can help with problem solving issues

The second resource is Information Processing, an article that relates how information processing is at the heart of cognitive psychology.  This article elaborates further on comparing how we store information to that of a computer and how this metaphor came about.  I think that this is a good article to use as a starting point when researching information processing and its roots in cognitive psychology.

The Doorway to Professional Learning Communities

The first blog I chose was Julian Stodd’s Learning Blog which can be found at http://julianstodd.wordpress.com. Mr. Stodd notes that he is a BSc (hons) MA and is a learning and development professional based in the UK, specializing in e-learning, mobile learning, social media and learning theory. Mr. Stodd takes everyday situations, relates them to the learning process and uses them in situations regarding his work as an instructional designer. I enjoyed this blog because it is not very technical- just straight to the point.

The second blog E-learning & Knowledge Management and is curated by Maira Aixa Villar who is an instructional designer and independent researcher. This blog can be found at http://www.scoop.it/t/elearning-knowledge-management. Scoop.it allows a person (curator) to gather information based on their interests from around the Web and distribute it according to their interests. Since Ms. Villar is an instructional designer I figured that this would be a great blog to have as a resource. I also liked this blog because it deals with the technological aspect of knowledge; technology’s impact on education and any new technology that will have an impact on instructional design field.

The third blog E-Learning Buzz and is located at http://elearningbuzz.wordpress.com. The author of this blog is Priya Gopalakrishnan, she relates in her blog that she holds a  Bachelor’s in English Literature, and is currently working on her Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology from Emporia State University, Kansas. I chose this blog because I felt that Ms. Gopalakrishnan and I had something in common since we are both working on a Master’s in instructional design through an online program. This blog will be useful for me to go to when I feel a little frustrated with the online process, since I am more used to the traditional “brick and mortar” system of learning.  Since she also works, has a family, maintains a blog, and is getting her Master’s, I feel that I can use this blog as a motivational tool in regards to achieving my degree goals.