“We’ve learned more about the brain in the past 5 years than in the past 5000”

For the next 2 periods or so we will be viewing a History Channel production called “The Brain” (2008)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OUR TWEETS FROM THE BACKCHANNEL

There are quite a few TOK “Knowlege Issues” in the film. (see bottom of this post for resources about Knowledge Issues)

Here are the major topics addressed:

FEAR AND PANIC

NERVES AND STRESS

SEX

RISK RESPONSE

MORAL DECISIONS

THE EVIL MIND

MEMORY CAPACITY

AMNESIA

SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY

EXTRASENSORY PERCEPTION

THE NEXT CHAPTER (BIOTECH) – TECHNOLOGY AND THE BRAIN

While watching the film and as we pause and discuss, I’d like you to participate in a backchannel conversation using TWITTER and the hashtag #tokbrain

The conversation will be archived and posted as class notes. Please maintain decorum, keep relevant, and be active.

Post-film Assignment: After commenting on some of the knowledge issues/questions in the film, your task is to hone in on one of the topics addressed in the documentary and find a relevant article or video clip which explores that topic more in depth.

POST the article link or EMBED the video on your PERSONAL BLOG SPACE and:

1. briefly summarize what it’s about (in the intro to your post)

2. pose a few questions (it should make you wonder some more)

3.try to tease out at least “1 knowledge question” (look to the board in the room for help or to the subsection in the TOK course blog menu (see images). Knowledge questions are about knowledge, are open-ended and are general, not specific.

***note: since the film was produced in 2008, try to find something more recent. 

***try these places for research: the favorite links on this web site (scroll to bottom); Google advanced search; Instagrok search engine; Twitter; PBS streaming video site (search: “brain”, “neuroscience”, “neurology”, “mind”, “cognitive”, etc.)…also, check out my Diigo Social Bookmarking lists:

Memory as a WOK

or search the tag “brain” 

DUE: Sept. 10 for periods 2,3; Sept.11 for periods 5, 8

Some examples from the Class of 2014:

http://caseydoyle.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/memory-and-hypnosis/

http://madelinestokmusings.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/why-do-we-panic/

http://awong014.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/a-lady-that-never-forgets/

http://kellykuch.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/vision-through-the-tounge/

http://ionaunguran.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-on-war-veterans/

http://katdal.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/preventing-memory-loss-article/