Something in this weeks videos got me started today. It wasn't about the contradictory debate that that Dr. Jeanne Ormrod was discussing about the terminology of mind versus computer and how computer theory was not conducive to learning methods. What got me thinking was how much our brains really are like computers. She made a good point in that our minds do not naturally go from point A to point B in a natural conclusion or methodological sense of problem solving. That is a learned or programed action. Even before computing was around I think that humans had a great understand of how or brains assimilate data. For instance many of the original thinkers or researchers working to figure out how we learn and process information. Many focused on imprinting, which I equate to bios in computer. it stands for Basic Input Output System. It is the basics of computing in that it tells the computer how handle what it has installed. Similar to a human mind controlling the respiration, heartbeat, auditory, sight and tactile systems. It knows without being told that you must breath, the heart must beat, the eyes discern images, the ears discern noise and the nerves discern external factors. It may not have the programmed knowledge of what these things are but it knows without fail what to do. In some cases there is a malfunction with one of the systems so the others learn to compensate. When you cannot hear your eyes and brain intemperate information to assist in overcoming it. If you cannot see, the ears and smell get finer attuned to extrapolate information from around them to compensate.
So in this weeks assignment I found some interesting information on information processing from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cogsys/infoproc.html and very interesting information on connectionism from http://www.mind.ilstu.edu/curriculum/modOverview.php?modGUI=76
Both sites give very compelling and interesting information as to how the brain is very similar to a computer and how it functions in a way that is organic, yet at the same time very mechanical i.e. there is method to its madness. Many instances are shown from both perspectives that lead to a believable concept that the brain can be programed very much like a machine. In fact most of us are from the time we are born. Classic example, crying baby’s drive parents nuts. I have three little ones so I can attest to this. We program them form the time they are born that you cry and you get something. Initially we do not understand this but as the brain develops the child soon emerges that knows if I cry i get food or I get changed or I get held, as they get older it then becomes a game of manipulation. This falls into the realm of Schema, which is the deal of interconnected relationships or turning experiences into a meaning. Crying = getting what you want. As we grow and get older the Imagery of hat we want comes into play and we stop the crying and start pointing. Then it becomes "Uh Uh" while pointing to put emphasis on what we want. All of the time building on the basic principle is I want X I do Y. As you can see this starts to resemble a computers program. If you want this conclusion you take these steps. It's all very linear and information based.
As we move from the information processing, to the connectionist approach. In this approach to the development and incorporation of information into the brain we see that the development and organization is very much like the development of a network or the internet. Massive connections tied to one another tying new information into old information to make it retain-able and retrievable for future usage. This allows us to tie information to circumstances, or experiences that we have to make the information more relevant and real. By doing this it aids in the ability to maintain that knowledge and recall it when necessary. This leads to learning and that leads to growth. Very much like our networks in computing often called "smart networks" or "Grids". In these environments information is gathered and analyzed to behaviors and usage and to help adapt to a through a learning process what the network needs and when. These things can include network load balancing, adaptive and predictive trafficking and in some cases the ability to warn its administrators when something in the network is "sick" or not functioning properly, allowing for preventative care and maintenance to maintain up time. Very much like a human body with diseases or illness. So as you can see, maybe it’s not so far off to think that the brain and our learning capabilities are not much different than those machines that we created to do many of the tasks that we do on a daily basis.
Just a thought or two for you to mull over.
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