Worth Reading

I discovered the following sites about the brain and learning, information processing theory, and problem solving. I recommend these as resources for anyone seeking to know more about how the brain learns and how teachers and instructional designers can influence learning.

The site named Research in Brain Function and Learning from the American Psychological Association provides ample information from a practical perspective about recent Brain Function and Learning. Any primary school teacher would benefit from this site in understanding the brain, developmental stages, and how to influence learning. It also dispels certain myths about learning.

The Theories of Learning in Educational Psychology site really hits it all in a concise and easy-to-read format when it comes to learning. It is very organized allowing you to easily find a specific topic. It covers behaviorist and cognitive perspectives as well as humanistic, social learning, memory and intelligence, and instructional theories. Anyone who teaches or designs learning should read the information on this site for a top to bottom general knowledge about learning theories. 

The Journal of Problem Solving publishes empirical and theoretical papers on mental mechanisms involved with problem solving. It contains many advanced scholarly topics about the Traveling Salesman, mathematics and discovery, theorem proving, games and puzzles, knowledge discovery, insight problems, and a range of problems in applied settings. I recommend this journal to anyone who wants to read studies and articles about how our brain processes and solve problems.

 

Useful Instructional Design Site #3

This blog was listed among the top 10 best blogs for instructional design by CollegeOnline. The blog is called Flirting w/ eLearning onWordPress.com blog. The author’s name is Nicole Legault. With mixed desires to become a teacher, lawyer, or artist, Nicole obtained a B.A. in Law. She then landed an instructional design job with the help of her father and began an eLearning and instructional design career. She has since earned certificates in web design, graphic design, and instructional design. In addition to the blog, you can follow her on twitter. I have enjoyed reading her blog. It is organized, well written, and provides a lot of practical information from an obviously experienced instructional design perspective.

The first article I encountered was her most recent about using videos in e-Learning. The article addresses the pros and cons of using video, situations for using video, steps for using video, key considerations, optimal formats, file size considerations, and finally hints and tips. I have used video in online training, so I know a little bit about the challenges. She points out that using video in e-Learning is no longer prohibitive due to the fact that practically everyone has a video camera on their smartphone or laptop. This makes the use of video cheap and accessible. However, just because it is available does not mean that it is the best option. I can tell you that bad video can make your product look cheap. Videos used in e-Learning should be well-planned and edited. This is just one of the many useful articles that Nicole has authored.

I like the way she organizes her blogs. They are logically presented and obviously created by someone who knows about instructional design. She not only presents practical information, but also provides information about application of learning theories and instructional models. Unless you are looking for something specific, I suggest browsing from top to bottom and discovering what she has written. If you are an instructional designer yourself, I am quite sure you will learn something new or find something that you can use.

Useful Instructional Design Site #2

Sometimes you just need a new idea or two when you are designing an e-learning course. There is plenty of technology out there, but it can be expensive. You don’t always need the latest technology to make a really great e-learning product. I discovered a very useful site for tips about e-learning. The articles are concise step-by-step instructions with pictures about developing high-impact e-learning products doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. The blog is called “The Rapid E-Learning Blog.” It currently has over 78,000 readers. The link is: http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/. The author’s name is Tom Kuhlmann.

The company that hosts the blog is Articulate. They also have a suite of E-Learning software that includes Storyline, Studio ’09, and Articulate Online. Their software is touted as easy to use with instructional design built into the product. The blog is partially an advertisement for their products and seminars; however, it also provides useful information about creating more effective e-learning by smarter use of technology currently available.

Just thumbing through the different posts, I can find a plethora of useful ideas and low-cost solutions. For instance, if you are looking for a way to edit sound, they have suggested WaveShop which is a free downloadable audio editor. Here is another one—how to setup the Quick Access toolbar to quickly access the selection pane, clipboard, and slide master in PowerPoint. These are simple tips to help speed up development of a training presentation. I am quite certain a lot of people who use PowerPoint either do not know about it or they haven’t taken the time to set it up so they can have their toolbox close at hand. I like that the topics are short so you don’t have to read a lot of extraneous rambling to get to the meat of the idea.

Useful Instructional Design Site #1

I have found the following site very useful in designing and developing effective instructional materials: http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/

The site called Big Dog & Little Dog’s Performance Juxtaposition provides details about performance, learning, leadership, and knowledge. The site has been around for over 15 years. The site creator is Don Clark. As an instructional designer, you will find many useful explanations and charts on this site to help you make wise instructional design decisions. The site is copyright protected under the Creative Commons. You may use his materials with attribution and non-commercial stipulations. If you decide to use his materials, you must contact him through email and describe the use, and you must properly credit him on your site or material. Direct commercial use of his materials is not allowed.

He has packed his site with so much information it is difficult to mention everything. There are 13 tabs across the top of the home page representing specific areas of interest. The Training tab has been especially useful to me because it provides information and links about instructional design. On this tab, Don lists several instructional design manuals. If you are looking for material on the System’s Approach to training, it is the first link. He presents several other links to instructional design manuals including Agile Design. All of these are linked within his own site, so they are his materials. If you scroll down a bit, you will see a section called Eclectic Collection. In this section, try the first link. There is an excellent chart explaining various design methodologies.

Additionally, I like the Learning tab. If you are going to be a good instructional designer, you need to know how people learn. I like how he has provided concept maps, graphs, and charts to explain some of the more difficult concepts and theories. These are linked to other areas of information, for instance, to explain informal/formal learning, social learning and media, and blended learning. I highly recommend this site to anyone who wants to know more about instructional systems design.