Develop a teaching aid that helps explain to a 10-year-old child how messages are transmitted in the brain.
Backstory/Context: Biopsychology is the study of how the human brain and body work, specifically: How do the cells in our brain lead to our thoughts and actions? That’s the essence of the mind-body problem—what role does biology play?
There’s an old saying that the best way to learn is to teach someone else. For this assessment, you are asked to develop a teaching aid that helps explain to a 10-year-old child how messages are transmitted in the brain. The objective of this assessment is to help you understand the basic actions of the brain by explaining it to the hypothetical 10-year-old child (feel free to test out your fine work on a child you know).
INTRUCTIONS:
Select one brain structure from the list below to focus on in your teaching aid:
- Broca’s area.
- Wernicke’s area.
- Thalamus.
- Hypothalamus.
- Pons.
- Reticular formation.
- Cerebellum.
Combine text and visual images to explain to a 10-year-old child the way the brain communicates. You can use either MS Word or MS PowerPoint. Be sure to cite your sources (including any visuals you don’t create).
The final product should answer the following questions:
- Explain how neurons communicate. How do neurons work? How do they talk to each other? What happens to leftover transmitters?
- Consider including the following:
- Resting potential, graded potential, action potential.
- Neurotransmission release.
- Excitatory postsynaptic potential or inhibitory neuron potential.
- Consider including the following:
- Explain the functions of the area of the brain you chose from the list above.
- Written communication: Written communication is in professional style with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
- Resources: Use a minimum of one scholarly source.
- APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting.
- Length: 1–4 pages or slides.
- Font and font size: No smaller than 10-point font.
Helpful tip: Start by reviewing the textbook and creating bullet points for each step. Then reword your bullet points in different ways until you find one that is clear, simple, and easy to understand. You might consider using metaphors if it helps. Lastly, create or find visuals that will help make the explanation easier to understand.
Grading Rubric: By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
- Competency 1: Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological and physical health.
- Explain how neurons communicate.
- Explain the functions of a region of the brain.
- Competency 5: Write for purpose in a well organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
- Incorporate visuals that support the overall message.
- Use APA style formatting for citations and reference list with only minor errors.
- Address assessment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences that a 10-year-old could understand.
