To Learn or Not to Learn? – That is the Question

This week, I went on an expedition where I explored the brain and several theories related to how we learn. The most interesting of which, in my humble opinion, is the Information Processing Theory. This theory according to Ormond, Schunk, and Gredler (2009) focuses on how people think about their surroundings; how information is gathered from those surroundings and turned into knowledge; and what people do with the knowledge. Thadani (2010) explains in simpler terms that Information Processing Theory shows us how information is received, processed and then retrieved in the human brain.

 

 

In the article Information Processing Theory, Rahul Thadani explains, the theory by breaking it down into sub categories, as well as, offering links to more websites containing information on related theories. The sub categories are arranged as follows:

1. Information Processing Model
   
2. Information Processing Theory
   
3. Information Processing and Management
   

Although, I gained more specific information from required reading, I found this article to be particularly helpful in that it explains the Information Processing Theory in an organized and simplistic manner for readers/researchers. The links to related sites may also be a useful tool for future research. You can access this article through the following link: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/information-processing-theory.html.

 

Another interesting piece of information I found in my research was related to the same theory, however, it focused on a specific area of the theory: The Encoding Process. Through accessing the following link, I found a webpage entitled the Memory Expansion Channel, which explained the encoding process in detail: http://www.brainchannels.com/Memory/encoding/encoding.html.

 

The site, which is focused on several areas of the brain, explains the encoding process in terms of helping others to maintain memories. In it, the following topics are discussed:

The Encoding Process - Laying Down Memories

Shallow Encoding

Elaborative Encoding

Engrams: How the Brain Stores Memories

 

 

Again, though not as detailed as what may be found in Learning theories and Instruction (Ormond, 2009), this page gives the reader more direct and (possibly) understandable explanations of the encoding process. I found it interesting and memorable due to the graphics and organization. As a research tool, this site can also serve one in understanding the learning process and finding alternate ways of presenting such information.

 

References

 

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York: Pearson

Schacter, Daniel L., MD. (1996). Memory Expansion Channel: The encoding process – laying down memories. Searching for Memory, the Brain, the Mind, and the Past. Retrieved July 10, 2011, from http://www.brainchannels.com/Memory/encoding/encoding.html : Basic Books, A Member of the Perseus Books Group.

Thadani, Rahul. (2010). Information Processing Theory. Buzzle.com Intelligent Life on the Web. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/information-processing-theory.html