Brain based learning and Cognitive Information Processing Theory

http://www.funderstanding.com/v2/educators/brain-based-learning/ 
http://www.funderstanding.com/v2/educators/brainmind-principles-of-natural-learning/
When teaching people new methods and information you must know different learning styles.  Without being able to adjust to learning styles of your audience, your message will be lost.  The same author writes the two websites listed above.  The first link gives the initial thoughts regarding brain based learning by Geoffrey and Renate Caine.  The second site mentions some of the ideas they reconsidered after their initial information.  Their research and information focuses on the idea that the brain works better in an engaged mode and retains information easier.  They also focus how to achieve active learning through non-traditional active instruction.  Discussed in this article is how traditional schools and teaching methods hinder the learning process more than help.  They stifle the natural willingness the brain has to learn.  Dr. Ormrod discusses the same type of learning with engaging the brain using multiple input methods to heighten retention. 

Brain Rules by John Medina also talks about active learning and how the brain responds in different situations.  He discusses how the brain is much more alert when an employee is actively going to work and then loses its drive once encased in the traditional cubical/office environment.  Also, he talks about children and how they learn more while playing on the playground than they do sitting during a typical lecture.  Why is this?  Your brain must stay active and alert in order to absorb information.  Once the mind goes inactive and loses interest then it has checked out for the session.  Children many times hear nothing a teacher says because it is boring to them.  Even as adults, if we are involved in a conversation that is less than stimulating, we do not typically remember the discussion. 

Brain based learning is a great idea for the instructional designer to keep in mind.  Engaging an individual’s brain is the key.  Do not let them get bored or you will lose your impact.

http://cognitiveapproaches.pbworks.com/w/page/10506171/Cognitive-Information-Processing-Theory
Discussed in great depth through this website is Cognitive Information Processing Theory.  There is recognition that the world around us changes continuously and our brain always takes in new information.  Through this intake of information, it compares the input to what is already stored in the memory.  The brain then decides if the information is new or already in storage. Discussed in great length is the process of encoding, storage and retrieval.

Dr. Ormrod discusses the importance of input and encoding properly.  She states that many people do not do this process correctly and therefore lose the information they tried so hard to learn.  She mentions that in order to imprint the information in the brain for proper storage and retrieval it must be taken in correctly in the first place.

It is important in the world of Instructional Design to understand such a process in order to be effective in developing processes to be implemented.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2006). Information Processing and Problem Solving. Ormrod, Jeanne Dr.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2006). Information Processing and the Brain. Ormrod, Jeanne Dr.
Medina, J. (2009). Brain rules: 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work home and school. Retrieved from: http://www.brainrules.net/pdf/BrainRules_JohnMedina_MediaKit.pdf July 9, 2011.