Connectivism

Evaluating and Identifying Online Resources

We were sent on a quest to find two journal articles based on one of three topics. I chose to search the brain and learning. The first article I found was titled "Connecting Brain Research with Dimensions of Learning". It was written by Mariale M. Hardiman, the principal of Roland Park Elementary/Middle School. She wrote about a technique her school was using to mesh together brain-based learning research and the Dimensions of Learning. Dimensions of Learning is a model this school used to “address the development of higher order thinking skills” (Hardiman, 2001, pg 52). The article was very informative and supported our class textbook. This article explained each dimension and suggested best practices for teachers. Some new information that was pointed out by this article dealt with stress and learning, the notion that stress leads to an impaired memory.

The second article I chose was “Understanding a Brain-Based Approach to Learning and Teaching”. This article was written by Renate Nummela Caine and Geoffrey Caine, an associate professor and executive director of the Center for Research in Integrative Learning/Teaching and a consultant and an adjunct faculty member, respectively. This article addressed 12 principals of brain-based learning, and also provided examples of how to incorporate this into the classroom. This article, like the other, supported our class textbook, and also made the same connection between stress and impaired memory.

Both articles were effective with presenting information and would be good resources to use for research or for use in a classroom.

Caine, R.N., and G. Caine. "Understanding a Brain-Based Approach to Learning and Teaching." Educational Leadership (1990): 66-70. Web. 15 May 2011.

Hardiman, M.M. "Connecting Brain Research with Dimensions of Learning." Educational Leadership (2001): 52-55. Web. 15 May 2011

Blog 1

The abundance of blogs to read is amazing. I’ve never really looked into blogging or even reading blogs, though I have heard about it before. I’ve tried to select three blogs that stood out to me and seemed like they would provide me with new information and the professional development I was craving. The first blog is Sucessful Teaching (http://successfulteaching.blogspot.com). This blog is written by a nationally board certified exceptional needs specialist, who has served on the National Board of Directors for the Council for Exceptional Children for 6 years. The purpose of the blog is to discuss issues within schools, problems within their classroom, and to share information with other educators for successful teaching. Weblogg-ed (http://weblogg-ed.com/) is the second blog I am following. Written by “Learner in Chief” at Connective Learning and the author of  Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, this blog is “dedicated to discussions and reflections on the use of Weblogs, wikis, RSS, audio casts and other Read/Write Web related technologies in the K-12 realm, technologies that are transforming classrooms around the world”. Last but not least, Teacher Blog Spot (http://teacherblogspot.com), is written by a teacher in her 8^th year. It is a blog written to share ideas and things learned throughout the author’s career as a K-5 math facilitator.
Each of the blogs will provide me with a new view on various topics. Ferriter explained blogs usefulness. He stated “professional development experiences has left them jaded and stagnant, groaning when given opportunities to learn"(2009). And that blogs are offering a new way for educators to learn and hear new ideas.  Successful Teaching and Weblogg-ed will open up dialogue about many educational issues. Teacher Blog Spot seems like a good blog to read to get advice and tips for a successful classroom.

Ferriter, B. (2009). Learning with blogs and wikis. Educational Leadership, 66(5), 34–38.