Learner Description
This activity is targeted to secondary and higher ed students with adept web search skills and a curiosity about the workings of the human mind.
What is this?
This is a cooperative, "jigsaw" learning activity designed to help you learn about the brain. To learn more about the Jigsaw technique and classroom, please visit this link.
How does this work?
You have been randomly assigned to a group that is tasked with becoming an expert on one brain lobe. Using the guide questions, you will complete the online research and then brief the other groups. The end result? An integrative understanding of all the lobes, apropos of the brain itself.
image credit: Sebastian023 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Team Frontal
- The frontal lobe fully matures when?
- The frontal lobe decreases in volume how much per year later in life?
- What is the relevance of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Trick?
- Case study subject: Phineas Gage
Team Temporal
- The temporal lobe is a region of what?
- What is the hippocampus and why is it important?
- What is anterograde amnesia?
- Case study subject: Henry Molaison
Team Parietal
- The name of this lobe comes from the latin word "paries" which means what?
- Which hemisphere of the parietal lobe is involved in understanding maps?
- Sensory inputs from the right side of the body go to what side of the brain?
- Case study subject: Mrs. S.
Team Occipital
- Occipital derives from the word "occiput". What does occiput mean?
- What can occipital lobe lesions cause?
- What can trigger occipital lobe seizures?
- Case study subject: D.B.
How to approach the research?
First, using an encyclopedia or other informational site, delineate the key functions of your lobe and answer the three lobe specific questions posed.
Then deepen your understanding by learning about your assigned case study subjects and their specific brain lobe maladies. You will need to locate the appropriate sites for the case studies. The information will not necessarily be found in the first set of suggested links.
Suggested sites (for all teams)
Presenting to your fellow experts
Each team will be given up to 10 minutes to discuss their brain lobe. Think about to creatively present your subject matter and divide up responsibilities. Not every group member must be a presenter, but all should play a role in creating the presentation.
Now put those lobes to work...
...and have fun with the assignment!
