Week 2:How the brain processes information
Week 2: Understanding How the Brain Processes Information
EDUC-6115
Joshua Moore
This week, we explored the ways in which the brain processes information. We have information coming into our brains from various sources and through various inputs such as our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, hands, etc. Our brains collect and sort all of this information often without us realizing it as neurons fire and send information from synapses to synapses, triggering a response based on the information received. I spent some time exploring learningscientist.org and I got a better understanding of the brain. I also got a chance to read the blog post "All learning is brain learning", by Cindy Woodridge (2022) where she makes the argument that as we learn, our brain changes and the effects of sleep on the brain. Her blog post focused mostly on research on sleep, however, she does describe the relationship between neurons and synapses and shares a really awesome resource to a 3D model brain!
One thing that researchers have learned for sure when it comes to the brain's ability to process information, is that it is not a computer. According to Dr. Jeanne Omrod (N.D), " People don't work-don't think in that one thing leads to another automatically kind of way. We (people) tend to branch out in a lot of different directions all at once. Simultaneously things are going on in a way that, traditionally, a computer doesn't do...".
It may seem as if Dr. Omrand's thoughts contradict the information processing theory, however, her thought is that the brain-computer analogy may have some connections but it is not 100% accurate. Information processing theory focuses on the things that are going on inside of the brain as someone learns or behaves (Omrand, N.D). To expand upon the concept of information process theory, I visited learnupon.com/blog/what-is-information-processing-theory/. The author of this blog, Caroline Lawless, does a really good job of taking the concepts of information process theory and making it simple to understand with visual examples. Lawless also mentions that the analogy of the brain-computer mind is limited.
To summarize this week's resources, while it may not be all that important for IDs to understand the neuroscience of the brain, it is important for IDs to understand what captures and hold attention, what people apply meaning to, and how to differentiate learning for others. Here's to week 3!
References
Lawless, Caroline. What is information processing theory
Retrieved from learnupon.com/blog/what-is-information-processing-theory/.
Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Information processing and the brain [Video File]
Omrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition)
Resources
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