The Technology of Learning

There are various kinds of technologies available to make things work. Pistons, motors, engines, pulleys, and lots of other things that I don't really understand, but can appreciate how they can save me from breaking my back and getting difficult things accomplished.

In psychology and education, there are also technologies that many people do not fully appreciate can do the same thing in regard to learning and solving problems. Some people think that it is just a matter of working harder and that there are no short-cuts. Hard work is important, however, there are ways to work smarter and not just harder in education and psychology.

Here are some of the technologies specified in such systems approaches as "Response to Intervention" and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports" that are associated with best practices and evidence-based methods.

1) Setting goals that are specific, achievable and measurable.

2) Monitoring progress to assess effectiveness of instruction and to inform decisions about changing instruction.

3) Multi-tiered intervention levels to match the intensity of instruction in a system (school) to the needs of the students. Some students get less intense instruction and some get more intense instruction, with a continuum of intensity levels.

In future blogs and podcasts I will elaborate on these technologies further. However, here are some resources where you can learn more.

http://www.studentprogress.org/default.asp

http://www.interventioncentral.org/

http://www.jimwrightonline.com/php/rti/rti_wire.php