Keywords
Citation
(1999), "Internet news", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 14 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmp.1999.05014fab.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Internet news
Internet news
Keywords: Learning, Learning styles
This issue of Internet news reviews a number of useful sites focusing on the subject of lifelong learning. The first one is Brain Based Learning at http://www.summitworks.com/mcquillan
A colourful site, it is attractively presented and simple to navigate. By clicking on a particular topic, e.g. "Left-hand brain", "Right-hand brain", "Dimensions of thinking", "Brain imagery", the visitor is taken to a variety of resources. In addition, information on books, articles and links to other Web sites is available from the page entitled "Brain resources". All in all, it is worth starting at this site for an introductory consideration of the brain in general and of memory and learning in particular.
The Virtual Learning Community at http://www.newhorizons.org can be found by following a link from Brain Based Learning. This is a really imaginatively-designed site which uses the concept of a community in a tall building in which different learning conversations and resources are available on different floors. These can be accessed via an elevator and the graphics are very good at reinforcing the message of a learning journey and of being able to stop, look and learn whenever and wherever you choose.
"The Brain Lab" is worth a visit as is the "Adult Learning" floor quite simply for the extensive lists of resources on the brain, learning and how adults learn.
The site also provides a useful link for those interested in seeing the brain and understanding more about the descriptions given in some other sites. The Whole Brain Atlas at http://www.med.harvard.edu/AANLIB/home.html is worth a quick visit. While much of the site is medical in its subject-matter there are some useful illustrations.
Several of the sites discovered refer to adult learners and to techniques of learning. One in particular at http://www.accelerated-learning.com sells the concept of Accelerated Learning. Focusing upon language learning and the benefits for business as well as parenting, the company, Accelerated Learning Systems, uses this site to provide some useful resources and insights into the techniques. The company also has a Consultant's Consortium and provides training in the techniques as well as products for sale.
Taking a much more business-focused look at learning, The Fast Company at http://www.fastcompany.com/home.html is designed to get you working on real-life questions and to give your opinion, then learn from each other. The site is sponsored by IBM and is very much geared to the pragmatic learner, asking questions such as "Does it work?", "If not, why not?" and "What do you think about the latest trends etc?"
Many managers will find this a highly accessible site and one which is interesting in its topicality and stimulating. As it encourages bullet-point feedback it is not perhaps a starting-point for a person who likes to theorise but there are some very useful insights into the thinking of the managers who participate in the discussions.
Please send details of any sites you would like to see reviewed here to: Maggie McCourt-Mooney via email at: m@mccourtt.co.uk