As an instructional designer, it is important to have a firm understanding of how students learn ways. In this blog post I share with you two websites that will help further your understanding of student learning and information processing. In my opinion, both resources are must haves instructional designers and educator alike. As you explore these sites and information provided, please be sure to like, share, and follow my blog. Lastly, include these resources in your favorites.
The Information Processing Approach to Cognition
This site presents useful information and theories focusing on the information processing approach to cognition. The major proposition discussed is that learners utilize different levels of elaboration as they process information. Elaboration is the process of permanently storing information within the long-term memory.
Stage Model of Information Processing, based on the work of Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), is one of the highlights of this particular resource. Memory (the storage and retrieval of information) is the other primary focus of this approach.
This image graphically illustrates what the Stage Model proposes which is that information is processed and stored in three stages. These three stages are the sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Detailed information related to each of these stages can be found on the Information Processing Approach to Cognition website. If you are interesting in even more in depth information related to information processing and memory, you may want to visit the following sites:
Research in Brain Function and Learning
In this resource, the human brain and its functions are explored. In this site, the author focuses on the importance of matching the level of instruction to a child’s maturity level. All brains do not mature at the same rate. It carefully takes into consideration the child’s level of maturity and not just their chronological age. It is truly a great resource for anyone designing instruction for children.
References
American Psychological Association, 2016. Research in Brain Function and Learning. Retrieved January 15, 2016 from http://www.apa.org/education/k12/brain-function.aspx
Atkinson, R., & Shiffrin, R. (1968). Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes. In K Spence & J Spence (Eds.). The psychology of learning and motivation: Advances in research and theory (Vol. 2). New York: Academic Press.
Huitt, W. (2003). The information processing approach to cognition. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved January 15, 2016 from, http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cognition/infoproc.html
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Provided here is a listing of blogs and resource sites that are relevant to the field of instructional design and eLearning. I hope that you will find these sites useful to your work as an instructional design professional, student, or advocate.
Exploring Instructional Design, Educational Technology, and Online Learning 