Aim: How does neuroplasticity relate to exercising our brains?
Do Now: Is it realistic for a blind person to dream of painting a masterpiece? Share your thoughts with a partner and then report out to the class.
Exercise your brain! As it turns out, our brains aren’t written in stone—more like plastic. There are all sorts of weird and inspiring stories about people who have overcome brain injuries and mental disorders with great success and distinction. In the next couple days, you will be introduced to the idea that brains can be molded or adapted to compensate for perceived deficiencies--but not without training or exercise. You’ll meet people who refuse to be limited by their brain “disorders” and their self-analyses as to how they have overcome them.
Step 1: Watch
this video "Lost
Every Day" to see how one woman copes with her strange and
disorienting neurological disorder that leaves her with
no sense of direction even in her own home.
Step 2: For a
theory as to how this woman has adapted to her strange neurological disorder, check
out this
short article and video about brain plasticity.
Step 3: After you
have read the article, explain the woman’s adaptation to her disorder through
the lens of Dr. Charney’s explanation. Answer the following questions in
complete sentences on your blog. Don't forget to give the questions and answers some context for readers who may be strangers to this course:
- How does the woman describe her disorder?
- What triggers the disorder?
- Is her condition psychological or neurological and explain why.
- Describe one way in which this disorder could limit a person.
- Describe one trick she uses to overcome her disorder.
- “Train your brain.” Explain the significance of this statement through the lens of Dr. Charney’s theory on neuroplasticity.
Final Reflection: Do you personally know someone who has overcome a perceived limitation? Tell us how they accomplished it. If you don't know, ask them. Post what you found out on your blog for extra credit.
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