The Brain

Mrs. Sterbinsky

In this section:- The History of the Brain- Decision making: What makes us moral?- Memory and the Mind- The Teen Brain- Who’s better at what?: Boys vs Girls- Faces of a Genius

History of the Brain

The Secret Life of the Brain– Please click on the START button to

read through a timeline of the brain

– Please fill out the Brain worksheet

3-D Brain Anatomy

• Take a 3-dimensional tour of the brain.– Learn about the parts of the brain by

rolling over them on the diagram– Explore the brain by area and function

Writing Prompt 9/17/12

• Summarize what you learned about the brain last week. Include both the history and functions/areas.

• What do you think the most important advancement was in the study of the brain? Why? Provide at least three reasons for your answer.

Mind Illusions

• How does the mind process visual information?

• How does knowing the way your mind processes visual information help in your studying and learning?

Mind Illusions

• Movement– Studies 1, 2, 3

• Color– illusions 1, 2

• Angles– Illusions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

• Form– Illusions 1, 2, 3

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/illusions/movement_flash.html

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/illusions/movement3_flash.html

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/illusions/form1_flash.html

Writing Prompt 9/19/12

• Who do you think generally has an easier time and does better in school: left brained or right brained people? Give at least two reasons for your answer.

• Do you think you can “train” your non-dominate side? In other words, if you are naturally left brained are there things you can do to improve your right brain abilities?

Optical Illusions

• An optical illusion (also called a visual illusion) is characterized by visually perceived images that differ from objective reality. The information gathered by the eye is processed in the brain to give a percept that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source. There are three main types: literal optical illusions that create images that are different from the objects that make them, physiological ones that are the effects on the eyes and brain of excessive stimulation of a specific type (brightness, tilt, color, movement), and cognitive illusions where the eye and brain make unconscious inferences.

Optical Illusions

• This is definitely one of the best-known optical illusions of all times! What do you see at first glance - an old woman or a young miss? They are both there!

Optical Illusions

• A similar example of ambiguous optical illusions - father and son.

Optical Illusions

• Whole family mind teaser - father with mother and daughter (by G. H. Fischer).

Optical Illusions

• At first sight, what do you see? Do not focus on one region, now look again. You may be surprised (by Joseph Jastrow).

Optical Illusions

• This is one of classic optical illusions - it is called dancing elephant. Try to count the number of his legs (by Roger Shepard).

Optical Illusions

• Stare at the dot in the center of the circle and then move your head closer to it. Neat!

Optical Illusions

• nothing moving on the picture

Optical Illusions

• Nothing is moving!

Optical Illusions

• Most of the people see a donkey first, but if you look closer you'll find a seal, with its flippers where the donkey's ears are!

Magic Eye

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22492511-5005375,00.html

The Right Brain vs Left Brain test ... do you see the dancer turning clockwise or counter-clockwise?

Right Brain vs. Left Brain

Which side of the brain do you use?

We will now take a hemisphere Brain Dominance Test.

Online Dominance Test

• http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl/hd/hemispheric_dominance.html– Learn more about what your score means at

the Compare Your Left and Right Brain.

Brain Video

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=449137B9-96FC-40BB-B3F8-88CBFF3ACD66&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Functions of the Brain• LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS

uses logicdetail orientedfacts rulewords and languagepresent and pastmath and sciencecan comprehendknowingacknowledgesorder/pattern perceptionknows object namereality basedforms strategiespracticalsafe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONSuses feeling"big picture" orientedimagination rulessymbols and imagespresent and futurephilosophy & religioncan "get it" (i.e. meaning)believesappreciatesspatial perceptionknows object functionfantasy basedpresents possibilitiesimpetuousrisk taking

Analyzing Mrs. RussottoWhich Side Do You Use? You responded as a right brained person to 11 questions, and you responded as a left brained person to 8 questions. According to the Hemispheric Dominance test, you use your right brain the most. The summary briefly describes your dominance type. Remember, this only represents half of the picture. After you read the description, click on the link at the bottom of the page to find out how to use this information to improve your study strategies. Do not forget to print your results, if your instructor has requested you to do so.

Some of the traits associated with the right side of the brain are listed in the table. Not all of the traits will apply to you. Remember, we use both side of our brain, but your right sides gets the most exercise.

Type of Cognitive Processing and a Brief Description   Holistic Processing information from whole to part; sees the big picture first, not the details.Random  Processing information with out priority, jumps form one task to another.Concrete Processes things that can be seen , or touched - real objectsIntuitive Processes information based on whether or not it feels right know answer but not sure how it was derivedNonverbal Processes thought as illustrations.Fantasy-Oriented Processes information with creativity; less focuses on rules and regulations

Analyzing Mrs. Sterbinsky

Which Side Do You Use?You responded as a right brained person to 13 questions, and you responded as a left brained person to 5questions. According to the Hemispheric Dominance test, you use your right brain the most. The summary briefly describes your dominance type. Remember, this only represents half of the picture. After you read the description, click on the link at the bottom of the page to find out how to use this information to improve your study strategies. Do not forget to print your results, if your instructor has requested you to do so.

Some of the traits associated with the right side of the brain are listed in the table. Not all of the traits will apply to you. Remember, we use both side of our brain, but your right sides gets the most exercise.

Type of Cognitive Processing and a Brief Description

HolisitcProcessing information from whole to part; sees the big picture first, not the details.Random Processing information with out priority, jumps form one task to another.ConcreteProcesses things that can be seen , or touched - real objects.Intuitive Processes information based on whether or not it feels right know answer but not sure how it was derivedNonverbalProcesses thought as illustrations.Fantasy-OrientedProcesses information with creativity; less focus on rules and regulations

What does this say about our teachers? http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3629

• The Left-Brain TeacherTeachers with left-brain strengths generally prefer to teach using lecture and discussion. To incorporate sequence, they put outlines on the board or overhead, and they like to adhere to prepared time schedules. They give problems to the students to solve independently. Teachers with left-brain preferences assign more research and writing than their right-brain peers. A reasonably quiet, structured classroom is preferred. The classroom tends to be clean, with items in their place.

• The Right-Brain TeacherTeachers with right-brain strengths generally prefer to use hands-on activities over a lecture format. In concert with the right-brain preference of seeing the whole picture, these teachers incorporate more art, manipulatives, visuals, and music into their lessons. They tend to embrace Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences. They like to assign more group projects and activities, and prefer a busy, active, noisy classroom environment. The classroom of a strong right-brain teacher will typically have materials and books scattered all over.

Assignment

After reading the information with the dominance quiz and listening to the video answer the following questions

1.What are the characteristics of the left and right brain? (List at least one for each processing area.)

2.Describe how you can use your knowledge of brain dominance to improve your study skills.

Forgetting Is the New Normal: Article

• How does memory work? What happens it as people age?

• What can you do to improve memory?

Memory: Short Term

Short Term Memory TestShort Term Memory Test

Short Term Memory Test- Pictures Short Term Memory Test- Pictures