Thursday, 19 September

How important is belief?

In class

  1. Whiteboard discussion of the neuroscience of stereotypes readings.
  2. Documentary: The Power of Belief.

Assignments

  1. Read p. 38 – 52.
  2. Finalize your notebook and have it ready to turn in next class.
Many climbers of the world’s tallest mountains credit a strong belief they have in their abilities to overcome the incredible challenges of the task.
Many climbers of the world’s tallest mountains credit a strong belief they have in their abilities to overcome the incredible challenges of the task.
Many climbers of the world’s tallest mountains credit a strong belief they have in their abilities to overcome the incredible challenges of the task.

Tuesday, 17 September

What structural changes have occurred to the human brain as it has evolved?

In class

  1. Reference Quiz 2.
  2. The First Evolution of the Brain
  3. The Mind-Body Problem

Assignments

  1. Finish Our Universe Within Part 2 before the start of next class.
  2. Read p. 82 – 89.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a noninvasive technique to visualize blood flow in the brain.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a noninvasive technique to visualize blood flow in the brain.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a noninvasive technique to visualize blood flow in the brain.

Friday, 13 September

What have we learning about the first evolution of the brain?

In class

  1. Welcome and breathing.
    • Turn in EC opportunity, Mike the Chicken.
  2. Return and discuss Reference Quiz 1.
  3. Brain anatomy and physiology.
  4. The First Evolution of the Brain

Assignments

  1. Finish watching The Brain: Our Universe Within up to the 20:00 mark before class Tuesday.
  2. Review your notes on our discussion of the basic anatomy and physiology of the brain for Reference Quiz 2 on Tuesday.
  3. Begin preparing your notebook for submission by updating the ToC and making sure each section heading is clearly labeled.
The CT-scanned skull of a 319-million-year-old fossilized fish, pulled from a coal mine in England more than a century ago, has revealed the oldest example of a well-preserved vertebrate brain.
The CT-scanned skull of a 319-million-year-old fossilized fish, pulled from a coal mine in England more than a century ago, has revealed the oldest example of a well-preserved vertebrate brain.
The CT-scanned skull of a 319-million-year-old fossilized fish, pulled from a coal mine in England more than a century ago, has revealed the oldest example of a well-preserved vertebrate brain.

Wednesday, 11 September

What are the major sections of the brain?

In class

  1. The Daily Calm.
  2. Habituation Stations.
  3. The first evolution of the brain.

Assignments

  1. Review the readings in the textbook on the parts of the brain.
  2. Respond to The Big Picture questions.
  3. Extra Credit Opportunity: Research Mike the Chicken from any website that is not Wikipedia. (Print off the first page of the website showing the web address.)
    • Type responses to the following three questions:
      1. Give the who, what, where for Mike.
      2. Explain why he is famous.
      3. Explain what we learned about the brain from Mike.
    • Print your responses, staple the website page to the bottom, and have ready to turn in at the start of class Friday.

Monday, 9 September

How do the four types of illusions work?

In class

  1. Welcome and The Daily Calm.
  2. Reference Quiz 1
  3. Illusions
    • The four types, defined.
    • Illusion Stations and group video, 90 seconds minimum.

Assignments

  1. Review p. 26 – 34 on the parts of the brain and then read p. 35 – 37 on our senses.
  2. Read When Senses Mingle, p. 67-70.
The Brick Wall. A point of focus illusion.
The Brick Wall. A point of focus illusion.
The Brick Wall. A point of focus illusion.

Thursday, 5 September

What is perception?

In class

  1. Welcome.
  2. Q&A for the neuron action potential simulation activity.
  3. Review session for Reference Quiz 1.
  4. Senses and Perception
  5. Senses, Perception, and Illusions.

Assignments

  1. Spend some time reviewing for the quiz next class.
    • Unit 1, objectives 1 – 4.
Point of focus illusions confuse your brain on orientation in space.
Point of focus illusions confuse your brain on orientation in space.
Point of focus illusions confuse your brain on orientation in space.

Tuesday, 3 September

How do the structure and function of a neuron’s various components contribute to its ability to transmit and process information within the nervous system?

In class

  1. Welcome and breathing practice session.
  2. Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK) card.
  3. Locus of Control whiteboard discussion.
  4. The anatomy and physiology of the neuron.
  5. The neuron action potential.

Assignments

  1. Read p. 16 – 20 and 26 – 34.
  2. Finish the six analysis questions on the neuron simulation.
  3. Begin reviewing for Reference Quiz 1, given next Monday.
An artistic rendering of a group of neurons.
An artistic rendering of a group of neurons.
An artistic rendering of a group of neurons.

Thursday, 29 August

What aspects of your life do you have control over?

In class

  1. Learning to breathe mindfully.
  2. Scoring the Optimism Test and discussion.
  3. Locus of Control (LoC)

Assignments

  1. Read pages 21 – 25.
  2. Answer the LoC reflection questions in your notebook if you didn’t do so during class.
  3. Submit your About Me presentation to the assignment link in Classroom before 3:15 tomorrow afternoon.
Denali National Park in Alaska. One of my favorite places.
Denali National Park in Alaska. One of my favorite places.
Denali National Park in Alaska. One of my favorite places.

Tuesday, 27 August

What are the benefits of being an optimist?

In class

  1. Review of the SLANT behaviors.
  2. Our Brain Studies collection of readings.
  3. About me presentation.
  4. Optimism and Positive Person discussion.
  5. Optimist Test

Assignments

  1. Read and take notes (in which ever manner you find most useful) on p. 1 – 15 in the course textbook.
  2. Complete and submit to Classroom your About Me presentation before the end of the day Friday. The specifics are listed on the last slide of my example About Me.
  3. Consider adding to Our Favorite Songs.
Optimism can be applied in many ways.
Optimism can be applied in many ways.
Optimism can be applied in many ways.

Friday, 23 August

What are some behaviors that are routinely seen in successful students and learners?

In class:

  1. Welcome, introductions, and music.
  2. The syllabus, routines, and expectations.
  3. What is Brain Studies?
  4. Why Finland’s schools outperform most others across the developed world?
  5. Practical Neuroscience 1: SLANT
  6. A method to remember names.
  7. The Positive Person quiz.

Assignments:

  1. Bring required materials outlined in the syllabus.
  2. Skip the first few pages in your notebook for a table of contents then add entries for the following two questions:
    • Why did you enroll in Brain Studies?
    • After taking notes on the Positive Person article, write a short reaction to your score.
Actions and behaviors that you take everyday can make changes in your brain.
Actions and behaviors that you take everyday can make changes in your brain.
Actions and behaviors that you take everyday can make changes in your brain.