My Personal Learning Network #3

Since my brain seems to be completely occupied with research (a result of taking a research course in grad school), I find myself drawn to articles written about the “R” word. Amazing how many there are, when you start paying attention. Research really IS everywhere I look these days, and as I learn more about it, I look at it all a little bit differently.

For PLN #3, I will focus on what my Google Reader found to further fill my brain with research topics. Here’s one for my brain ABOUT my brain. What educators can learn from brain research: Breakthroughs in neuroscience are measuring brain response to stimuli and beginning to alter classroom practices. “Enriching and informing classroom practices,” to be exact, which sounds interesting to me. Researchers are using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to scan the brain and measure neural activity in response to stimuli. This has led to a concept called neuroplasticity, meaning the brain's structure is more flexible than previously thought. The article mentions studies that measure reading aptitudes, the causes of and workings of attention-deficit disorder, and the way the brain processes mathematics.

Michael Atherton, a researcher in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota, describes a methodological framework to assess how applicable a study might be for classroom implementation. There are three progressive stages to this framework: Discovery, Functional analysis, and Pedagogical evaluation. According to Atherton, studies that answer the question "Which pedagogical method results in students achieving higher levels of performance?" fit into this last category and can be used to guide instructional design. To me, that just seems like such common sense.

This article came to me from eSchool News, to which I used to subscribe, but now have added to my feed in Google Reader. eSchool News also gave me this interesting article. It tells about Project RED (for Revolutionizing EDucation) which will “examine the outcomes of educational technology initiatives using a cost-benefit analysis to determine which ed-tech programs and devices are having the most cost-effective impact for schools, parents, and states.” According to Jeanne Hayes of the Hayes Connection, one of the consulting firms leading the project, very little research has been done to show the connection between educational technology and cost savings. This does not surprise me.

After identifying and selecting schools that have implemented “ubiquitous technology initiatives,” data gathering will begin. The data will be used to develop a framework for determining which programs and services are most effective in raising achievement. In the next phase, several partner states will join with Project RED to examine larger factors that may be influenced by ed-tech initiatives, and how much money can be saved by using virtual learning. The final phase will deliver data and findings to stakeholders. The project is expected to take about a year. I will be very interested to see the results.