While searching for articles regarding this week's topic of the brain and its learning relation to learning I found two pieces linking brain-based learning to actual classroom implementation.
The first "Connecting Brain Research with Dimensions of Learning" by Mariale M. Hardiman discussed the five dimensions of learning and links them to a number of best practices for teaching. I found this information to be very valuable. Hardiman references a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in Maryland at the elementary/middle school level. The article discusses each dimension and then explains what processes occur in the brain. The author then moves on to offer examples of best practice and activities to implement in the classroom. A main focus of the article is on learners with learning disabilities and their immersion in a general education setting.
The other article, "Reinventing Schools Through Brain-Based Learning" written by Renate Nummela Caine and Geoffrey Caine I found to be somewhat valuable. The authors studied the reform of a California elementary school through brain-based instruction. The Caine's books, Making Connecting - Teaching and the Human Brain, was the outline for the restructuring of an entire school community - including teachers, the principal, parents, custodians, etc. all took place to help their school become a more effective learning environment. The article did offer insightful information; however the authors never went too in depth on any aspect, whether it be the actual reform process or the results it produced, aside from that the students were striding toward success.
Caine, G., & Caine, R.N. (1995). Reinventing Schools Through Brain-Based Learning. Educational Leadership. 52 (7).
Hardiman, Mariale M. (2001). Connecting Brain Research with Dimensions of Learning. Educational Leadership. 59 (3).
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The First Time Around
I have been tasked with assignment of creating a blog and becoming an active participant in blogging in order to learn more about the field of instructional design. Eager to get my feet I am happy with the little gems I have found so far.
The ‘Instructional Design & Development Blog’ from the IDD Department at DePaul University showcases current professionals reflecting upon recent tasks, popular trends and the opportunity to bounce ideas off one another. I hope that this site will become more useful to me as my knowledge of Instructional Design grows. I found even as I read from entry to entry I am able to better understand the posts above. These entries will help apply the work done in class to real world situations that I have yet to experience. This blog will lend to my work in the ID field as best practices and useful techniques can be picked up and then applied to my training sessions with new hires. I noted how one professional mentioned CogDogRoo, a wiki site that can offer ideas on way to present using technology without PowerPoint. http://www.iddblog.org/
I was thrilled to see my next random selection has fallen on ‘The Line’ a blog created by an seventh grade English teacher, something I one day hope to be. She explains that her blog will explore lines – lines in education, line read and written, lines people think along, etc. The author’s attitude here is a bit more laid back from other bloggers I have encountered thus far. I hope to learn a great deal from the author’s insight and every day occurrences to aid in my graduate studies. The content found on ‘The Line’ can benefit my work done not just at work, but also in classroom observations, student teaching, and eventually my own classroom. http://theline.edublogs.org/
The final blog I decided to subscribe to for the time being is going to prove to be an abundantly rich resource. ‘Performance X Design’ is maintained by a seasoned Performance Consultant who offers great insight into the field of Instructional Design. He does not just speak about the way designers create learning materials, but at how the materials are created for those studying ID. He also offers readers a rundown of “what’s hot, what’s not” of e-learning. The archive of blogs is full of observations and finding from the latest convention or training organization. Once I begin to become more familiar with the terms the author frequently uses I will be better able to utilize his suggestions in the workplace. http://performancexdesign.wordpress.com/
The ‘Instructional Design & Development Blog’ from the IDD Department at DePaul University showcases current professionals reflecting upon recent tasks, popular trends and the opportunity to bounce ideas off one another. I hope that this site will become more useful to me as my knowledge of Instructional Design grows. I found even as I read from entry to entry I am able to better understand the posts above. These entries will help apply the work done in class to real world situations that I have yet to experience. This blog will lend to my work in the ID field as best practices and useful techniques can be picked up and then applied to my training sessions with new hires. I noted how one professional mentioned CogDogRoo, a wiki site that can offer ideas on way to present using technology without PowerPoint. http://www.iddblog.org/
I was thrilled to see my next random selection has fallen on ‘The Line’ a blog created by an seventh grade English teacher, something I one day hope to be. She explains that her blog will explore lines – lines in education, line read and written, lines people think along, etc. The author’s attitude here is a bit more laid back from other bloggers I have encountered thus far. I hope to learn a great deal from the author’s insight and every day occurrences to aid in my graduate studies. The content found on ‘The Line’ can benefit my work done not just at work, but also in classroom observations, student teaching, and eventually my own classroom. http://theline.edublogs.org/
The final blog I decided to subscribe to for the time being is going to prove to be an abundantly rich resource. ‘Performance X Design’ is maintained by a seasoned Performance Consultant who offers great insight into the field of Instructional Design. He does not just speak about the way designers create learning materials, but at how the materials are created for those studying ID. He also offers readers a rundown of “what’s hot, what’s not” of e-learning. The archive of blogs is full of observations and finding from the latest convention or training organization. Once I begin to become more familiar with the terms the author frequently uses I will be better able to utilize his suggestions in the workplace. http://performancexdesign.wordpress.com/
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