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Information Processing Theory and Approach

Oct 29, 2023

Are you familiar with the intricate neuro-psychological mechanism that determines what happens when your students (or any other person) are able to come up with fresh concepts and ideas, as well as new knowledge? That's the question that the information processing theory is trying to address. It delve into the complex process of registering, observing and processing information inside our brains, and then retrieving that data as needed.

Discover more about the idea, and how you can utilize it in the creation of online classes that aid your students. Let's begin by giving a brief overview of where the concept began.

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A brief history of Information Processing Theory

In the 1950s, researchers realized that computers could be an an important clue to understand how human brains function. George Armitage Miller and Edward C. Tolman established the basic principles of the way that humans utilize short-term memory to acquire knowledge. Basing their work on the foundational model, two popular models of the theories of information processing eventually came into existence in the form of the Atkinson and Shiffrin Model and the Baddeley and Hitch Model of Working Memory.

The Atkinson and Shiffrin Model discusses the three stages of processing information that comprise sensory memory, short-term memory (working memory) along with long-term memory. It focuses on the significance of focus and intricate practice behavior which leads to the storage of information in the long-term memory. The Baddeley and Hitch Model of Working Memory is an additional development of these theories and explains the way we deal with language and spatial patterns.

Are you confused by the language of psychology? Don't worry! We've merged aspects of these theories in order to aid you in understanding the way humans process information. There is a way to start to understand how humans handle information in daily circumstances and also to analyze every step in greater detail.

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The foundational concepts of Information Processing Theory

as an educator for creators It's extremely beneficial to be aware of the different aspects of information processing.

Check it out by using the following illustration

If you're in a bustling road, you'll be confronted with a variety of sounds as well as sights and smells. You may also be greeted by a lot of people in the event that you get bumped into large crowds. To avoid the rush and chaos You decide to stop by an establishment that will be peaceful and serene. You also remember that they provide the most delicious breakfast and coffee within this particular region.

Information processing theory in action, and the actual application of information processing. We'll see:

  1. It is possible to feel various stimulations (people who are moving about and touching your shoulder, an automobile speeding through the street or a car moving by, etc. - sensation. The word "stimulus" refers to a stimulus external (or information)
  2. The image seems to be too crowded (perception is how we see what we perceive).
  3. Based on your experiences that you have had previously (long memory of a long period of time) and you're able of recognizing this particular situation as feel uncomfortable and unsafe (being constantly pushed around, the past associations)
  4. Perhaps you recall the place which provided you with the comfort you required (another chain of memory can lead to the retrieval of information regarding the tranquil cafe as well as its desserts (the symbolic memories).
  5. Your memory is what you make a decision to act on when you head towards the café (judging/analyzing before making the final choice. The trip to the cafe is the way memory works).

First, you sense your environment

Humans may receive signals known as "stimulus" through the five senses of smell and contact. Additionally, they possess visual auditory (hearing) as well as a sensation of tasting. Sixth sense that is related to posture, movement and balance known as vestibular sensing exists.

Sensors and the organs that they are associated with

  • Eyes for Vision
  • Audio - Ears
  • Touch Skin
  • Taste - Tongue
  • Aroma - Nose
  • Sensory sense in the vestibular area, ear, as well as other components of the nerve system.

Your sense organs in your body transform data from the real world into electrical data, which the brain process it and converts into data that can be recognized in a conscious way. The information you are observing is a result of previous associations (similar to the data that is stored in your mind, that is able to recall and form connections).

Note to Creators Unless you're using the augmented or virtual world within your lesson content the vast majority of your lessons are based around inputs (stimuli) that connect to visual (reading texts and watching videos) as well as musical content (voice and background sound).

     Perception comes in the ability to perceive.

Sensory organs react to various stimulus that is present in the outside environment. It convert these signals to electrical signals, which can then be sensed by various regions within the brain. Sensory processing takes place in sensory organs and perception is carried out within the brain. Persons who have different perceptions or learning disorders may find it difficult to grasp the information within a short amount of period of time.

Authors For authors: If you're intending to make the material of your class accessible to students with disabilities You may consider using accessible techniques for design. Some examples of accessibility design include: avoid gaps between words that do not correspond to paragraphs, dividing longer paragraphs into shorter ones as well as ensuring adequate white space.

Information that is sensed is then processed (encoded) the information gets stored in memory.

Memory is a term that encompasses a range of cognition. The process begins by storing information for a short time (sensory or working memory) prior to being transferred to long-term storage via consolidating (encoding).

Sensory memory spans from just a fraction of second to up to 3 seconds. If you don't pay your attention to what you feel that you feel, it will not be stored to short-term memory. The research has shown that short-term memory stores around seven bits of information that last from fifteen to thirty seconds. With practice the brain is in a position to store the data until it is diminished or disappears.

While you practice to master the skill your brain undergoes an operation known as Encoding. It triggers information to be put into long-term memory. When it's moved into long-term memory, it is possible to retrieve the data at any point provided that you do not permit it to undergo destruction or interruption. The long-term memory of a person may range from recalling the things you have observed over the course of just a few minutes, or events that took place many years ago -- that go into the time of your youth.

The concept behind rehearsal could be seen as a way to aid learners by repetition within the framework of learning. We are however aware that the vast majority of pupils have difficulty mastering the process of repetition. It is not such a great method to grasp the complexities of concepts and abstract knowledge.

The different types of long-term memory include:

  1. The term "explicit memory" is a reference to the information that can be found in your conscious. If you're requested by someone to identify what the capital city that Great Britain is, you can say London. This is why explicit memories can be referred to as declarative memories. Declarative memory could also be separated into:
  • A temporary memory The memory of certain particular events that occurred in the course of your life, like visiting the house of a family member as a small kid
  • Memory that's semantic The ability to store in memory the information you've learned about the world like when you heard about your declaration of World War 2 (September 1 September 1939).
  1. Implicit memory is stored within your brain over the long run and is linked to the performance of your body and movement. Like, for instance, remembering to swim or drive your car following long absences and so on and.

     Attention keeps memory longer and allows you to study more quickly.    

Although our sense organs can be able to absorb lots of data, they do not get into our brains until we are aware of the information. Information is saved in "sensory memory" when you experience. They last just a few minutes (between half-second to three seconds).

Paying the attention of a particular stimulus when there is no other stimulus. For instance, you go to a cafe that you enjoy and choose to purchase the type of croissant that you like, in spite of the fact that there are other choices on the menu.

If you are able to recall the incident in the busy street, you might recognize there were many people. However, you might not have been paying close enough concentration to spot the faces. At the end of the day, the data related to the particular face of each after which it disappears forever.

What does this mean? What happens inside our minds?

As an educator or creator, it is possible to be curious as to what the information you give your students is thought of in their heads. Baddeley as well as The Hitch Model of Working Memory offers a clear solution to this.

The frontal region (a part of the brain) inside the brain) is the primary center of processing, where information is stored and later pulled out. There are a variety of memory stored in different brain regions. Based on Hitch and Baddeley:

  • Information on the auditory system (information which is stored in the shape of sound, usually called music, language or any other kind of sound) is stored in the auditory loop.
  • The Phonological Loop is comprised of phonological storage, in which data is saved in a limited time span as well as the articulatory rehearsal process occurs when the brain is able to rehearse auditory information to be saved over a longer duration.
  • Visuospatial sketchpad can be described as a component of the brain, which can store images and spatial information including pictures, patterns, and shapes and more.
  • The episodic buffer could enhance the ability of the brain to store, encode and retrieve information by connecting various brain regions, which assist in processing data.

We can apply the lessons we have learned in the field of processing information to learn in online settings.

Make your students focus on the information in the classes online you teach

If you're developing or creating modules, it is important to think in this manner. If your images or videos that are appealing enough, the learners would simply dismiss them and proceed onto the next. Students take a glance at the slideshow (sensation takes place) however they don't be able to absorb the amount of time required to store the content in their short-term memory. They should practice this skill that will be stored in their long-term memory. The content is removed out of the sensory memories of their. So, ensuring that they are attentive is crucial.

It is crucial to think about potential scenarios in which your child could be distracted, snoozing or not paying attention to your lesson plan. This can impact the ability of your students to concentrate on the information that is required to be taken in and stored in a long-term memory. Therefore, making sure that the materials you provide are made to hold the attention of your students is essential.

     What exactly is HTML0?    

  • Inform them that they should have a break every for ten or fifteen minutes. Studies show human attention diminishes after fifteen minutes.
  • So, plan your lessons in chunks that are 15 minutes or less. You don't have to produce tutorials or create videos with a limit of 10 minutes. Instead, you can offer students small games, short activities or chill-out sessions.
  • Make more engaging online learning spaces to help students learn. This will be discussed in the near future.

Fundamental methods of information processing to aid your students remember better.

If data is saved in short-term memory but not accessed, it could be transferred to long-term memory or deleted. Repetition and practice is essential to keep information in storage for a long period of time in memory that is long. That's why it's important to develop a plan of instruction so students will get plenty of time to work on their skills and review the information that is stored in their brains. The process should take place within a matter of minutes. So, at the conclusion of each class taking only a few minutes to complete Encourage your pupils to practice, repeat the lesson in rehearsal, or practice. This will ensure that the material they've absorbed is stored as lasting memories.

If some information is stored into your mental long-term memory within your brain, it'll be available at the point of the prompt. Successfully retrieving memories depends on the level of passion with which the student was instructed in the subject (were you attentive enough? was your course material interesting enough? etc. ).

It is evident in this article, learning is based on the way we perceive information as well as how we integrate it with our previous knowledge, and that we must remain attentive.

It's not it's easy?

HTML0The Limits of Information Processing Theory in online learning

Human beings aren't computerized machines. Drawing parallels between our brains and computers seems appealing both are distinct. Information Processing Theory doesn't discuss the significance of motivational factors as well as emotions that affect how we perceive the world and how we remember the knowledge we've acquired. Both are crucial to recalling and learning what's taught.

The brain operates in a linear wayinformation is gathered and stored. This information is later processed (encoded) later stored before being retrieved. It is also known as serial processing. This is a task computers perform.

The brain is able to function simultaneously, meaning it can simultaneously process different kinds of information. Brain capabilities for multitasking may not reflect what computers are able to accomplish. So, even though theories about the processing of information accurately explain how we feel, and how we process and store information, they fail to consider emotions or the fact that our brains are not linear in the brain's functioning.

Students have emotions along with needs, and motivations you may overlook in the lesson you created. It is therefore crucial to recognize that you're offering instruction to human learners and not computerized learners. One of the most effective ways to address this problem is to design educational environments on the internet that stimulate.

We'll look at ways that to bring emotions and motivation, as well as social interactions into your course. Additionally, you can make use of information processing theories even further to design the ideal online class.

HTML0Strategies to make more efficient application of the principles of information processing to enhance the online learning experience

     Encourage your students to be attentive    

What's the benefit of learning something if they aren't engaged in the subject? It's essential that students are enthusiastic or motivated to register for the class and stay motivated to complete.

Motivation drives students to be aware of the content which can enhance data processing (encoding) and better capabilities in retrieving data. Also, if your student isn't motivated to do the work required for a difficult course, the top courses won't be registered to them.

Motivation is a key factor when it comes to the processing of information. It is essential to react effectively to stimuli from outside.

  • Your job as a teacher of creativity is to keep this enthusiasm alive.
  • Be aware that motivation needs to be located in an empty space. It's important to feel valued and to be able to get constructive comments and to be appreciated by others for inspiring you to accomplish something. Do you remember your friends supporting you during times that you had a hard time or were trying to get better at some specific thing? The same is true for the process of learning.

Motivation and interpersonal relationships are interconnected. This article will examine the ways in which this is reflected in the idea of Social Information Processing Theory.

Encourage social interaction during learning

Although one-to-one training is very effective however, students benefit from learning more when working in groups. Thus classes in the traditional manner usually takes place in groups or classes because learning with others can be much more enjoyable (and far more efficient).

Social Information Processing theory is one of the theory that explains how humans can communicate by using computers like an online platform to study.

Humans can also learn from their the examples of others and from the observation of others. In other words, they emulate what other people do. For educators, your responsibility as educator is to assume the role of teacher and students imitate your behavior. Albert Bandura, a famous psychologist, believed that learning usually takes place within social contexts and there is no way to cut out "social" when it comes to learning.

That's why it's crucial to keep this in mind. It is essential to

  • Create online group activities
  • Students must be incentivized to interact with other students via online platforms, and to share their experiences.
  • Collaboration and social media participation are essential elements of the curriculum's design.
  • Make use of social media platforms to exchange thoughts. These tools can be used to practice
  • Provide constructive feedback to colleagues (other students) to provide reinforcement. For this, you should request your students to assess their efforts positive.

     Utilize particular cognitive strategies that are geared towards achieving your goals.    

They tend to be focused on a specific task. That means that you have the ability to assist your students in learning the material in a direct manner. The cognitive strategies which are available in online education are not based on taking notes, rehearsal or contextual understanding and Mnemonics. (A memory mnemonic is defined as a technique that can help you remember or retrieve information that is stored in your brain.)

As an example, VIBGYOR can be an abbreviation used to describe the seven rainbow colors that include violet, green, indigo blue, yellow, red and orange. Apart from acronyms, different kinds of mnemonics as well, like flashcards and categorizing objects in distinct categories. All of them can aid students recall what they've learnt quickly.

     Provides high-level processing capabilities via techniques of metacognition    

Researchers have also proposed that there is something known as "metacognition," which means "thinking about thought processes." You can practice as you learn and attempt to remember the mistakes you make, or use methods to assist others to remember or learn (such as teaching using goals) Metacognition is a way to think as it is described.

The year 1987 was when A.L. Brown initiated a discussion about the concept of metacognition in learning. Through time the topic has increased.

When it comes to online classes, these are among the most effective methods of metacognition.

  • Organisers that have been pre-planned: Request students to look over your lessons plan by distribution of calendars prior to time. It will let your students understand what they are expected to learn and also connect it with the information they have already learned about.
  • Self-planning: Help your students to develop strategies for their tasks, in addition to the ways they'll manage their time. This gives them the chance to "think about the tasks they're working on" - metacognition.
  • Self-monitoring scales that allow students to self-rate their scores could be an excellent tool to identify which areas that your students need help. Develop online forms that assist students to track their progress following each week or session, according to the timetable that you prefer.
  • Self-evaluation could happen frequently or upon completion of the class. Because online classes are usually taught by students with an internal motivation, it's essential that they are able to see their results.

Alongside self-evaluation, associations can be used to help students retain what they have learned. To make this method more effective, you must know the lessons that students have learned. So,

  • Prior to involving someone in the class, it's important to assess the level of their knowledge before deciding if they're qualified for the course.
  • If you haven't done so, prior to when you even begin your program for newbies, be sure that you've created your course so that learners will be capable of connecting the content to the content they're already familiar with. That means you need to help in the encoding process.

It is possible to employ techniques like chunking, images or elaborate.

  • Separate your lessons into small parts using engaging questions, discussions on the internet as well as online games. Also, make use of questions and answers and peer support to keep students engaged.
  • Help your students form associations with their previous knowledge by giving the knowledge in a way that is easy to visualize. It will allow students to make use of pictures for learning and retain.
  • Furthermore, an online course is required to encourage the students to take the course actively. This method, also referred to as elaboration, is essential to allow students to become engaged in the course and to form connections with their current capabilities to learn new information.

While they all rely on cognitive and metacognitive techniques however, it is impossible to ignore the role of emotions, motivation and theories of social learning.

     Add social interaction and emotions to this mix    

The majority of the students you have in your class as they're in a position to not be able to participate physically for different reasons. The online learning option is an alternative to traditional learning and provide greater engagement in most instances. It is nevertheless crucial to make sure that you keep the online learning experience lively and enjoyable. It is vital to utilize strategies that rely on emotional communication as well as interpersonal interaction. Be aware that "affect" means the feeling.

Here's how you can do this:

  • Make yourself a personable teacher and help them learn by being a role modeling. Encourage curiosity and excitement. It is also possible to generate feelings of happiness through excitement, joy as well as joy. It's not difficult to create these feelings in your students.
  • Gamification is a great method to make students feel content and happy after they have completed some different levels of satisfaction.
  • The giving of badges, certificates, or other rewards that are positive is a great method of adding joy to your day.
  • If you offer the chance to discount a well-performing student it is a way to combine excitement and delight. This makes students more eager to do the best they can.
  • Polling could be used for making games and tests every 15 minutes. This will make sure that students participate and permit students to talk about their education in forums.
  • When children are more ease using social media, it is logical to include social media in the classroom as well.

 Humanize theory of data processing in order to design courses online that mimic human traits

The idea of processing information may help us comprehend how we process and store new information inside our brains through our sense organs along with the brain. Although this model is accurate as regards how the sensation, perception and memory work however, it does not provide a complete explanation of social learning or the functions of emotions or motivation.

The human brain is incredibly complex and is not able to be reduced to the way computers operate. For instructors, it is crucial to keep students' natural ideas and thoughts in their heads. In creating an interactive online learning experience, and keeping in mind the human limitations you can create courses online that are efficient and creates a lasting impression on learners.

It provides a variety of tools to create educational content that is both fun and interactive. You can create courses that are based on model of information processing, but recognizes the fact that students are connected human beings who wish to be connected with one another while they learn. It has powerful social interaction capabilities, making it easy to develop group learning modules and encourage lively discussions among your students.

Humanizing online learning lets you engage with your students on an intellectual level and in a way which is enjoyable. Find out more about the ways it can assist you to create classes that draw from the psychology field, we invite you to contact us anytime.

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