Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Podcast 2 of 3 Creating a Program - Mem-ExSpan, memspan's
Sunday, October 15, 2023
The Erratic Tik - Tok Brain Embraces Entertainment
To continue my ongoing discussion of “Solid learning factors”, including focus, many articles today discuss concerns about the current 1-minute Tik Tok brain instilling erratic focus for our young people.
Poor focus interferes with listening integration sorely needed for sequencing, learning, retaining and applying new material.
Historical Impact:
Subsequently, it stands to reason, that speaking, looping, puppet faces might provoke staring, leading to focus.
Professor Brown becomes a local “hit" for a few people, so decided to hike to the New York Stage with a backpack of puppets.
Although it took him awhile to travel such a distance, he was well
received on local city small vaudeville stages, making some income to feed his
family. They have been surviving on buttermilk and popcorn in rural
1923 - 1955 “Doc”
Brown’s two sons, Fay and Foy E, are soon carving wooden faces like their
father had done earlier. They perform for local
1935 – 1955 Roughly
in the same time frame, Ventriloquism was becoming a hit comedy act for night
club entertainment on the East and West coast areas. Many tried to perform in
The final outcome of the “Peers and Puppets” experiment was
that team students’ TIED with the puppetry methods. Both groups focused on a
peer role model and the teaching cloth puppet. All win-wins.
Jan meets with Foy, in 1972, purchases two ventriloquist dummies, and soon is applying puppetry comedy routines for advertising with her three children as musical and speaking performers. It becomes a summer activity for the three children, who are musical.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Banging Your Head Against the Wall
Sometimes it feels like we are “banging our heads against a wall” when people are not listening to us. They often ask questions just explained.
Unfortunately, many can only focus and follow one step holistically at a time, and cannot detect issues within the entire sequential procedure. Slow in procedural thought, “one unit at a time-piecemeal”, they become over-whelmed with step-wise instructions.
This unpredictable mind set creates a flow of errors that is both time-consuming and costly to reformulate properly.
Today’s work projects often employ three to five individuals, at high cost inefficiency, to accomplish a simple procedure.
The following alarming story was recently related to me by a hospital book-keeper, as an incorrect coding entry had been taking a year of our involvement to resolve the accounting/mis-coded issue.
Without productive efficiency, projects fail with faulty detail. All work operations are a series of ordered details to be completed correctly, systematically, with full accountability.
Any work chain with too many links can break down to error laden inefficiency.
Actual Medical Scenarios:
Inversely, there were several people at the Medicare side to conduct the same, expensive, time laden, data entry chain link process to finally correct the claim.
Then the doctor confronted with the dire results, requiring
immediate surgery, lucky for me with my high listening-auditory-coding
capability, I recognized the problem immediately, and confronted her with
“these photos are not my newly filmed records”.
Of course, the doctor double checked my file, was embarrassed, and apologized, as I have nearly perfect eyesight.
Obviously, I could have gone through unnecessary eye surgery, not to mention, the time involvement, and the anxiety-stress incurred.
Subsequently, this circumstance could have been avoided by pre-testing the listening capability of future technician applicants.
Erland, J. K. (February 1986, 1989).Contrapuntal thinking
and the definition of sweeping thinking).
Monday, September 4, 2023
What is Common Sense and Logic? Why Do We Need It?
The term “common sense” always baffled me, as I was growing up; individuals said I had amazing “common sense,” and tackled problems wisely. This leads me to the discourse, “what is common sense, exactly?”
A Basic Conclusion for “Common Sense”
would be simply: “Don’t step in
front of an oncoming car.” “Avoid lightning strikes”, or Don’t eat strange
reptiles,” as the outcomes are obvious to most people.
My Personal Conclusion “Common Sense”: It may be the ability to flood the mind rapidly, with a variety of options, and then make the best choice rationally, not emotionally, in any given moment.
If
it is an emergency, we are forced to think fast. Otherwise, we can carefully
weigh in our personal options – pros and cons in a logical manner.
Impulsivity and “Common Sense”: a fast, risky, choice is made without any
deep thought. An individual may realize they made it, but cannot fathom how
they reached that conclusion. or understand the eventual consequences.
Often, this line of thinking is habitual,
and this decision-making pattern continues throughout their lives.
How the Brain is Involved
In trying to understand the role of “Common Sense” cognitively, we can realize that the cerebellum is the master or “muscle,” doing the brain’s work load, whereas, the cerebrum is the “thought control”.
And, additionally, each individual has their own unique electrical synapse
system created through their learning experiences.
Therefore, we should desire interconnecting
them in concert for optimal whole brain thinking leading to logical thinking
and decision making.
We can create “Choice Architecture” [1] In making decisions that permeate our wired brains.
We can use tools, or options,
to create common sense through logical thought processes, for making decisions
with desirable outcomes.
Device Screen Options
We can apply a unique assortment of options
with our devices’ screens to give us the answers we seek.
Consider not being distracted by the
constant advertising on our screens, so we can maintain our thought flow and
make optimum decisions, or levels of thought operations.[2]
My former article on “Focus” reiterated the Tik Tok - UTube data findings[3] that many have developed a “one-minute” brain attention span.
This recent article for
“Family and Tech” in the Wall Street Journal, reveals that “UTube one- minute “Shorts”
give kids short, thrill bursts, making it harder to pull away” Brains are being
short-circuited, camouflaging any possible “Common Sense” or logic.
As many innovators spot this issue, they
clamor to come up with immediate, money-making solutions. This data is rapidly
absorbed into marketing advertisements.
This becomes a “Hay-Day” for marketing and
screens, as our brains’ logical capabilities wither.
Takeaway, thought-provoking point to
ponder:
If we have a uniquely wired brain, laden with experiential, ethics, and skills learning, making our formulated choice options based on this factor, yet, data mining shows that many can focus only for one-minute or so, what can (or will) alter this anomalous paradigm?
Are we
making choices based on a short-circuited brain, lacking logic?
[1] Johnson, Eric (2021). The Elements
of Choice.
[2] Erland, J. K. (1989). Hierarchy of Thinking
Model.
[3] Julie Jargon. (August 15, 2023). “An Antidote
for ‘Tik Tok Brain’ Has Also Become a Problem” The Wall Street Journal.
Monday, August 14, 2023
Finding Focus
Poor Mental Focus: The Universal Problem:
My last article reviewed how the average person can understand the mechanics of assessment, plainly known as “testing” or even “cognitive tests”. Many brain boost companies claim both recent and historic cognitive findings, some cloudy, not accurately clarified. And, most digital learning applications do not generate sustained focus.
The internet is awash with brain and cognitive articles and podcasts with many view slants. My articles are rooted as a parent of three, classroom and learning disabilities teacher, data analyst, researcher, and artistic program designer applying puppetry.
To stay abreast with current popular thought/mind processes, and to offer understanding and desire for mental/physical wellness, I am visible on social media.
With that said, this article is on how deep learning with fixed focus affects our lives and identities.
Identity Empowerment through Focal Strength
There are many types of over- layers of our focal identities: on the family, religious, work, school, social, and emotional event-spending.
Yet, the most important one to consider: How to take on new tasks and ignore distractions.
My former articles have discussed how visual and auditory memory integration becomes elusive with too much addictive screen time adherence.
It will destroy visual and auditory integration (necessary for deep understanding/comprehension).
Once you completely “understand” a situation, and apply rationale, your stress level lowers.
But, instead, we react impulsively. We all “obey” our screens with compulsivity. Marketing strategies depend upon our compulsive natures that we will react instantly to their clever lures. Ads pop up continuously, diverting our thoughts and concentrated attention.
We apply cell phone “Focus” settings to turn out the distractive onslaught of visual images. But, even then, we still do not focus on new learning tasks optimally.
Engulfed by distractions, we multi-task that further diverts the concentration at hand.
Creating Purposeful Goals to Sustain Focus
We may additionally have weak visual and auditory working memory to focus effectively. Thereby, we may not integrate properly for good reasoning capability. This soon unites with mental depression, ignited by constant screen adherence.
Furthermore, instead of creating a unique personal identity to formulate the joy of our own being, we spend excessive amounts for concert entertainment.
This brief surge of excitement does not compensate for our lack of mental focus, or a sense of purpose, we sorely need for today’s survival. Yet, we become addicted to this sketchy lifestyle expenditure pattern.
We Search for this Elusive, Desired, Focusing
A recent neuroscience article stated findings re visual stimuli and fighting distractions called “Beta Bursts,”and how they appear from sustained, continued focus. [1]
Brain frontal cortex neurons create “Beta Bursts” through visual movement and fixed attention. To personally obtain a visual Beta Burst, you must forcibly be directed towards a goal, rather than distractions. Brain neurons can be re-directed to an important task, but it does take an enormous amount of determined energy to do so.
Okay, how do we create these goals for fixed focal attention?
Solution: Daily, Progressive Procedural Learning.
But, which one?
There are many brain development choices: stimulation devices, (but will not improve current cognitive levels), medical drugs, pills, various digital, brain programs, (few will improve the critically needed auditory sequencing capability), diets, all designed to reduce brain fog and create learning prowess.
But, these varying choices do not necessarily make you adept in following and retaining sequential, skill-set procedures, nor last.
My digital solution is a worthy consideration: The Bridge to Achievement has 42 years in published, juried, Beta research and development. [2]
1. Musical, rhythmical, facial focus with chunking – visualization – pattern finding operations, is a good option to obtain fixed attention for deep learning,
2. Consecutive, determined practice is the next requirement.
3. The lessons must then build on each other in difficulty level with purpose.
4. Then, the learner should recognize their progressive improvement, and keep going.
5. Finally, the rhythmic, timed, visual and sound adherence will re-formulate one’s brain cognition and integration. Improvement is “not a quick fix”, but you can see improvement gradually, peaking in a year or two, if you are motivated, and determined, with a goal-set.
Now, you can recognize and resolve your insidious mental focus limitations, so you can take action to alleviate stress, depression, and confusion.
[1] Odorczyk, Kelsey. (August 11, 2023). Brain’s Traffic Directors: Neurons that Keep Us Focused on Tasks. Neuroscience News, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine.
Erland,
J. K. (Fall 2000). Brain-Based Longitudinal Study Reveals Subsequent High
Academic Achievement Gain for Low-Achieving, Low Cognitive Skills, Fourth Grade
Students. Journal of Accelerated Learning and Teaching. 25,
(3&4) pp. 5-48. ERIC ED # 453-553. & # CS 510 558. https://Books.Google.com/jankuypererland
pages 41, 44
Erland J. K. (c 1989), Hierarchy of Thinking. Mem-ExSpan, Inc.Erland, J. K. (© 2008). Downloadable, unpublished report. Five Generations, 27-years of iterative Brain-Based Accelerative Learning Experimentation Demonstrate Cognitive Skill Improvement Enhances Academic and Career Goals. (https://memspan/jalt).
Erland J. K. (c 1989), Hierarchy of Thinking. Mem-ExSpan, Inc.
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Understanding Cognitive Skills Testing: What Is It? Why Have It Admin? & Where To Find It?"
I am reprinting an earlier version, 2010 article of mine, regarding the value of cognitive skills, standardized, longitudinal testing, still applicable today.
Later, interestingly, in 2014, the University of Pennsylvania's Brain Behavior Lab created a simple, normed test, computerized, self-administered in one hour, called Mindprint Learning. It gives a direction for personalized learning plans in 10 skill levels.
While helpful for parent/teacher/student planning, the Mindprint Learning self-awareness test, therefore, differs greatly from the rigorous pre-post-post standardized test batteries I discuss, and administered at 13 learning sites.
I work from the Guilford Intellgence model for backbone theory, with a reformulated, brief, puppetry playbook model on downloadable film.
Lesson 1 preview is now available on Utube under "Jan Kuyper Erland".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yBvAnGjJeI (paste link in your browser)
All of my lessons and content are original. The article goes well with my following July article on "Digital Transformation."
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2010
Sunday, July 2, 2023
A Case for Digital Transformation
Exploring Evidenced-Based-Data Results
Many products in development claim Evidence-Based-Data findings.
What is their data authenticity? What kind of testing, and by whom?
This article is in response to my previous “Proof is in the Pudding” discussion, where I self-monitored my internal responses in parallel to the participants’.
Subsequently, my former personal anecdotal review can be validated by lengthy clinical research findings.
Most product-building data collections, unfortunately, are heavily anecdotal, or computerized self-tests, rather than having rigorous scientific analyses.
Participants can be assessed by informal tests in specific areas, by self or instructors. Compilations then become compiled by doctoral, or representative students in labs, or by computerized selection formats.
The BTA has applied both types of assessment extensively, through 13 test sites with many 3rd party evaluators, testing companies, and institutions.
The treatment outcomes included both criteria- referenced elements (continued to the present time), and highly recognized diagnostic standardized tests, monitored in depth by three independent testing companies, and five universities.
Although the confirmed results are precedingly dated, they remain substantive, as they were evaluated at so many assessment levels, with high level statisticians/evaluators, and circumstances.
Participant longitudinal data is hard to come by, as the learner often changes locations. Parochial schools are preferred, as students often move lock-step from grade- to- grade.
In the 2-Parochial school study, the goal was to determine if the results generalized to higher achievement scores.
These students, moved forward with new teachers, and were followed by assigned numbers for 2-4 years longitudinally, as long as they remained at the middle school level.
The implementation problem was embedded in the poor technical media applications available in 1996.
Only three teachers could manage juggling video and audio tapes with an overhead projector, for 48 lessons on a daily basis.
And, following heavy on-site teacher training, applying students’ handwriting on worksheets.
Surprisingly, these written worksheets, revealed important cognitive changes within the first 20 days.
Interestingly, the two schools with the 4th and 6th grades’ high results, elected to verify my outcomes with an independent testing company; Educational Testing Service (ETS) of Princeton, NJ.
The subsequent verification of my results indicated that I needed to wait for the right technology to emerge, even if it took a waiting time.
Broadband internet availability, with finding the right photographer/sound editor, who could incorporate the many embedded instructional layers into one brief, daily filming lesson, was crucial.
Then, hopefully, creating high fidelity, excellent phonological sound quality, with streamlined, engaging, and timing with puppetry.
Subsequently, I waited, and completed the problematic, on-going project’, now prepared for broader digital transformation.
Drahozal, E. (Vice President, Iowa Test of Basic
Skills - ITBS testing service, personal communications, technical assistance,
April 18, 1998, May 17, and May 27, 1999 and June 8, 1999).
Erland, J K. (c February 1986, 1989). Contrapuntal Thinking and Definition of
Sweeping Thoughts.
Erland, J.
K. (1994). Analytical skills training through video-tape
instruction develops higher-order thinking skills capability. Journal of the Society for Accelerative
Learning and Teaching, 19, (2), 155-227.
Erland, J . K. (1995).
Cognitive skills training improves listening and visual memory for
academic and career success. in ERIC
Clearinghouse, Journal of Accelerative Learning and Teaching, 20,
(1 & 2) 87-101.
Erland, J.
K. (October 1997). Fitting into
the high-performance workplace. The American Society For Training and
Development. KC-ASTD’s VISION. p. 1
Erland, J. K. (Fall, 1998).
Cognitive skills and accelerated learning memory training using
interactive media improves academic performance in reading and math. Journal of Accelerative Learning and
Teaching,23, (3 & 4), 3-57.
Erland, J. K.
(Spring, 1999). High performance
thinking counts. Performance In Practice. The
American Society for Training and Development. and KC-ASTD’s VISION,
February, 1999.
Erland, J.
K. (Spring, 1999). Brain-Based learning longitudinal study
reveals solid academic achievement maintenance with Accelerated Learning
practice. Journal of Accelerative
Learning and Teaching, 24, (1).
Erland, J. K. (Summer-Fall 2007). Five generations,
27-years of iterative experimentation demonstrates cognitive skill improvement
enhances academic achievement and career goals.
Frisbie, D.
(Ed., ITBS, personal communication, technical assistance, June 10, 1998
and August 9, 1999). Iowa City, IA: Iowa Testing Service.
Hoover, H. D., Hieronymus, D. A. Frisbie, D. A., &
Dunbar, S. B., (1993) Iowa Tests of
Basic Skills Content Classifications with Item Norms. Complete/Core/Survey Batteries, Levels
5-14. Form K. Chicago, IL: The Riverside Publishing
Company.
Riverside 2000. (1994).
Science Research Associates Standardized
Achievement Testing (1985). Survey of Basic Skills.
Sunday, June 18, 2023
The Proof is in the Pudding
Carefully designed Cognitive Behavior Modification (CBM) (Meichenbaum, 1995,1977) techniques and strategies that included self-verbalization, mnemonic organization, modeling, and study skills still fell short of desired academic and career improvement, because some important foundation components were missing.
Many theoreticians, although
looking at all the ramifications of the problem,
were not focusing on an important issue; poor
information processing capability,
with deficient cognitive functions (J. P. Guilford,1967; Intelligence Theory, containing
a 3-D Model of 128 various mental cubes).
Subsequently, we are each born with our own unique profile of underlying, high to low, information
processing areas (Meeker, M. 1999; Gilford’s student), and distributed parallel processing, feedback loops (Erland, J. 1986, 1989), (Rumelhart and McClelland, 1986), which can dictate our daily endeavors.
Yet, alternative cognitve, intelligence theories address, and interface with 8 types of experiential, personal, talent capabilities (Gardner, H. 2006).
Unfortunately, many of us are not familiar with earlier, established scientific findings, and how they personally affect each one of us.
Severe deficiencies within multiple cognitive functions, may be termed learning disabilities,
Dyslexia, or simply, under-functioning.
Weaker cognitive areas do not disappear with maturation or the passing of time, unless with an
intervention.
Cognitive deficits may
include inadequate visual and auditory sequential memory capability that ultimately interferes with the integration
of information.
The information processing dilemma
may be misdiagnosed and blamed on a poor attitude, lack of motivation, or Long-Term,
latent Covid effects.
Many
now suffer from memory fog created from lasting Covid. Subsequently, the inherent
strong and weak cognitive areas may also be adversely affected.
Individuals possessing several of these problems, may
develop some compensatory and coping skills.
Furthermore, cognitive and
memory deficits carry within them a high degree of stress that can result in
underachievement, or even chronic
situational depression.
We may be told to try harder, or to seek help with
counselors, or mental health and medical professionals. Sketchy prognoses can
be made, pills prescribed, creating an unfortunate situation.
Subsequently, as disillusioned
individuals, we do not achieve our maximum potential.
We find it difficult to enter the career fields
of choice, or be able to compete and
advance in our chosen fields.
Braced with indecision, we
become embarrassed, or too proud, to consider we could be performing at much
higher output levels.
Let alone, be trained by rotating, cubistic faces.
Case in point: It was difficult for me to realize my own
short-comings, as I had struggled since birth, compensating. I felt lagging, or
“behind,” fast- paced classmates.
The puzzeling part was that I read like lightning, and was sent to upper grades for reading classes. I read classic literature by age 10.
In teaching my program, it
was quite accidental that a personal, new revelation was realized. When studying
memory and cognition theories, I understood that unfortunate hidden, gaps were within
my own information processing system.
Technically, it was easy to identify my visual and auditory closure issues. What I saw and heard short-circuited, or was incomplete.
Then, this deficit led to visual and auditory sequencing memory, not functioning optimally, as required for procedural learning.
Finally, a cascade of shortfalls
creates poor memory integration needed for conceptualization.
Fortunately, and unexpectedly,
I soon recognized increasing sharpness with my own verbal and written communications.
I had gradually gained auditory and visual memory closure and transfer.
And, with great relief.
My original intention of applying a procedural
system was to accelerate my own three children, plus strengthen my husband’s
information processing capability, following a series of heart operations.
As I had worked for, the
family all wound up excelling in their chosen, fields of endeavor. My spouse
could now embark on a new career path.
Coincidingly, I internally followed
my own internal mental progress, but self-help was not my intent.
My daily puppetry, memory-span-drill
workouts are now hinged with physical activity to create a whole-brain wellness
regimen; without pills.
It is unusual that one affected
with many cognitive shortcomings, would arrive with a solution.
Nevertheless, I did through internal monitoring.
My only regret is that I did
not have this surprising, sharpness benefit earlier, during my younger
schooling days.
Erland, J K.
( February c 1986, 1989). Contrapuntal
Thinking and Definition of Sweeping Thoughts.
Erland, J . K.
(1995). Cognitive skills training improves
listening and visual memory for academic and career success. in ERIC Clearinghouse, Journal of
Accelerative Learning and Teaching, 20, (1 & 2) 87-101.
Gardner, H. (2006). Multiple Intelligences: New horizons, the development and education
of the mind. New York: Basic Books.
Guilford, J. P.
(1967). The nature of human intelligence.
Hessler, G.
(1982). Use and interpretation of
the Woodcock-Johnson psycho-educational battery.
Kess, J. F.
(1992). Psycholinguistics: Psychology, linguistics and the study of
natural language.
Meeker, M. N.
(1999) Structure of Intellect Systems. Teacher Training. Vida, OR:
Structure of Intellect: Based on J. P. Guilford’s work.
Meichenbaum, D. (1991, 1977). Cognitive behavior modification: An integrative approach.
Mahoney, M., & Michenbaum, Donald. (1995). Cognitive and constructive psychotherapies : Theory, research, and practice. New York : Washington, DC: Springer ; American Psychological Association.
Rumelhart, D. E., McClelland, J. and the PDP Research Group. (1986). Parallel distributed processing: Explorations in the micro structure of cognition. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Sunday, June 4, 2023
Creating a Video-Sound Stage
"The Best Conditions Became Evident at the Right Moment"
My previous blogs offered my
personal stories to encourage the application of creativity, as I did successfully that results in
enthusiastic, engaged learners.
Then, obtaining unusual outstanding results with my students/clients, solid longitudinal data verification was deemed necessary authentication.
This outcome revealed any type of action puppet can be noteworthy for instruction to motivate current non-focused, screen-addicted, students having weak listening memory.
And then, convert earlier filmed lessons, as a live data collecting prototype, to an easy- to- use, high-quality, stand-alone-deliverable product.
Now, everyone is in front of a cell-phone lens, taking multitudes of self-absorbed “selfies” every few hours.
Yet for me, it was not a spontaneous, reactive occurrence, because it was then 1941, and 8 mm silent movie cameras were rare, new, products, available only for the invested person.
But, we became one, using Kodacolor movie film. Family members were often the subject matter in the home stage environment.
The
family 1970s puppet show staging followed naturally with lighting instruction
offered by the
A freshly engaged, novice, photographer and sound editor, put the studio production into slow, steady, forward gear, as there were many sound and lighting considerations.
He soon realized increased dedication to this immense, ongoing, project.
It was a high-risk endeavor, and I never thought we would get beyond the first 3 or 4 lessons. Subsequently, I was agreeable with the initial slow production set-up pace.
I had become a multi-vocal puppeteer who could readily switch vocals with the required timed pacing. This aspect eliminated the need to hire several puppeteers with additional film production staff.
And, most importantly, it would be the same photographer, not rotating ones trying to learn the complex choreographed, panning system.
My small filming-sound studio was now soon complete with computers/screens. As if my magic, we gradually finalized over 3 - 6,000 lesson segments through countless takes and retakes. An early-effort, 2 minute segment, had up to 13 retakes of my vocals with constant staging challenges.
We re-filmed the first eight lessons several
times, because the practiced filming and puppetry improvement was noticeable.
In a culture of pill-popping, as an easier solution than mental, action workouts, the re-filmed lessons run from a brief 10- minutes up to 24, averaging 16. The participant applies resilient, cognitive, whole-brain responses and interaction.
Workouts give feelings of exhilaration and pleasure
Hopefully, this article will encourage others to engage with in-depth, meaningful, projects that offer insightful well-being and accomplishment.