Within the first three units of the cognitive science of teaching and learning there has been many theories of teaching and how the brain learns as well as what strategies to use. This blog will be in reference to the area studied within the mind and the nature of its connections. There are 5 mental representations that will be reviewed within this blog with a short description of each. The next area to review will be the three most important implications based on what I understand in reference to how I learn.
The best way to begin is to remember that the brain is like a computer (Pathakar, 2011). But the most important thing to remember is that a computer does not have common sense and cannot understand emotions.
Computer Brain
Software App thoughts
Operating systems memory and interpretations
BIOS perception centers
IC integrated circuits neural pathways
Transistors neurons
PN junctions synapse
(Pathakar, 2011)
With the chart being reviewed it implied that language is one of the mental organs carried out by the cognitive process like software in the computer operating system. Mental organ is like a concept. Today virtual assistants are being made to look and sound like humans and can help with a variety of things but cannot emotionally be real. Having said this it is necessary to understand how learners behave and what processes they use to be better than computers. Many people think that computers will replace humans someday, but individuals act without the help of others, but computers need a human to tell them to perform an action.
This seems like a lot of background information but in order to understand how the mental representations are used to assist scientists and educators I believe that it is necessary.
Mental representations means a message which is shown to the mind in the form of an idea or image, be broken down into 5 different categories, Logic, Rules, Concepts, Analogies/cases, and Images. Each one is used to understand the mind the following is a quick definition of how I understand each one without being complicated.
Logic: In the educational world it means If/Then which is found out by two different ways. Deductive reasoning (pure logic) and Inductive reasoning (a person is given choices)
Rules: Similar to logic but with a different meaning. If I pass the class, Then I will have one less class to graduate. If is the condition and then is the action.
Concepts: Is a mental image or abstract idea that I have put into words that I can use in real life.
Analogies/cases: Play a role in human thinking it is about problem making and decision making.
Images: visual ques that complement verbal representations.
To go a bit further into understanding how a person learns we need to toss in the word Synapse. The reason for this is because there is a parallel between computer processing and the neural connections in the brain. Simply put the when/where/and how we make connections when learning. Remember the above chart comparing the computer to the brain, this is where it makes more sense. The computer needs to be plugged in, push buttons, and have input while the brain has energy from glucose, no on off button and is always on taking in input. The area where the transfer is happing is a small gap between neurons called synapse.
Ok, confused yet? My next section connects it all together in how to relate this all to teaching styles and how to use them.
It is said that many learners have their own way of understanding material. There is even a quiz generated to find you own personal style (Felder & Soloman, n.d.). I personally believe this idea. If a person needs to be a hands-on learner, they are said to be Kinesthetic. If someone needs images, a visual learner. If an Auditory learner, they need to listen, but study may be repeating information out loud and of course there is some that are all three. When put together with the mental representations from above this all seems to make the mind a bit clearer. I believe to be a great educator it is necessary to have a concept in mind that can be logically figured out so it can be converted to images. In other words, a problem to be solved logically that can be put into a concept or idea that can be visually used later in life. The reasons I have chosen this way to teach is because this has been the best way, I have absorbed information during my educational journey. I learn very similar to Blooms Taxology. The video below sums this up best.
References:
Felder, R. and Soloman, B. (nd). Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire. Retrieved from https://www.webtools.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/
Patharkar, M. (2011). From data processing to mental organs: An interdisciplinary path to cognitive neuroscience. In: Brain, Mind and Consciousness: An International, Interdisciplinary Perspective (A.R. Sigh and S.A. Singh eds.), MSM, 9(1), p. 218-224.
Sprouts (2019, Jan 3). Blooms Taxonomy: Structuring the learning journey. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ayefSTAnCR8
Published by L. Markey, July 15, 2020
Lynette's Educational Journey 