Dragon’s Den – Brain Exploration Techniques

By Selma Hamdani, Dawson College

At a Glance

Discipline

  • Social sciences
  • Psychology

Instructional Level

  • College & CEGEP

Course

  • Introduction to Psychology and Biological Psychology (Neuroscience)

Tasks in Workflow

Social Plane(s)

  • Group

Type of Tasks

  • Experimenting & conducting inquiry

Technical Details

Useful Technologies

  • Miro
  • High Tech Active Learning Classroom (1 SMARTboard per team)
  • Wheel of Names: https://wheelofnames.com/t9k-ujf

Class size

  • Small (20-49)

Time

  • Multiple class periods (2-3 classes)

Inclusivity & Accessibility

  • Variety of representations

Instructional Purpose

  • Application & knowledge building

Overview

Students engage in a gamified activity mimicking the popular tv show the Dragon’s Den. Groups of students develop a quick presentation of one of the brain exploration techniques discussed in class. Students compare and contrast the brain exploration techniques and identify important features of each one (exploration of anatomy, function or connectivity. research or treatment technique). The gamifyied element involves students convincing their classmates to invest in their imaging technique.

The brain exploration techniques used in this exercise are:

  • Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
  • Optogenetics
  • Clarity

Instructional Objectives

Students:

  • Discuss and familiarise themselves with the different brain exploration techniques
  • Identify the key elements of each brain exploration technique
  • Summarize the main elements of each technique
  • Compare and contrast the different technique by identifying the best “investment”
  • Present the summary in a “Sales pitch” to the entire group

Each group hypothetically “invests” in another team’s technique.
Each team has $3 000 000 to invest as they see fit.
Element of competition: The team with the largest investment wins a prize (e.g. chocolate or treat).

 

Workflow & Materials

Workflow

Activity Workflow

View on CourseFlow
Document

Student Instructions

Selma Hamdani

Contributor's Notes

Benefits
Challenges
Benefits

In this activity students have to compare and contrast the brain exploration techniques by highlighting features of one.

Challenges
  • Challenge: Offering guidance and insuring good progression of tasks
    Solution: The instructor must circulate around the class to ensure the good functioning of the experiments and ensure that the students are on track
  • Challenge: large amount of content covered
    Solution: Provide a detailed guide outlining the required materials and procedures well in advance, allowing students and instructors to prepare adequately.
  • Challenge: The hearing lab was particularly challenging in a loud classroom environment.
    Solution: inform the students of this potential challenge and build it into the reflection portion of this lab.

Applied Strategies

Inquiry-Based Learning

Research, Problem solving and Lab-based methods

Gallery Walk

Artifact creation, peer review and refinement