The Secret Life of the Brain
Responses to The Secret Life of the Brain, Episode 1 Please respond to the questions below. You may answer directly below each question on this study sheet. Understanding the brain’s development is necessary to gain insight into both early and late development of all kinds. Given the information in this video and your comprehension of it, respond to the following questions. 1. The video showed two infants that experienced challenges in their development (both pre and postnatal). Give two specific examples from the video of how the network of connections made in utero influence a child’s or adult’s development. How are those connections specifically made and what can specifically disrupt them? 2. What is brain plasticity? What specific example from the video demonstrated the brain’s amazing ability to restructure itself? What was the outcome? 3. Give two examples from the video of how lost connections may affect us both in the short and long term. Is this a short-term or long-term impact? Why? 4. What two specific items from the movie surprised you the most and why? How is this information useful to you? 5. How can we do to make new dendritic connections as we age? What have you specifically learned from this video and your textbook about dendrites? What examples from your own life show dendrite growth? What does “use it or lose it” mean? What is an example of “use it or lose it” in your own life? Link to the video below:
Link (Links to an external site.) Shape, arrow Description automatically generated
Rubric
Secret life of the brain–A baby’s brain
Secret life of the brain–A baby’s brain
Criteria
Ratings
Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuestion 1
Specifically, give two examples from the video of how the network of connections made in utero influence a child’s or adult’s development? How are those connections specifically made and what can specifically disrupt them?
6 pts
Excellent
Provides two specific examples of how connections made early influence later life.
3 pts
Fair
Provide generic or general examples without referencing examples from the movie and/or don’t explain how connections can be disrupted.
0 pts
Poor
Does not answer question with any examples and does not explain how disruptions can influence development.
6 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuestion 2
What is plasticity? How does the video reflect the plasticity of the brain? What specific example from the video demonstrated the brain’s amazing ability to restructure itself?
6 pts
Excellent
Provides a specific example from the video demonstrating plasticity of the brain.
3 pts
Fair
Does not give a specific example from the video/ provides a general example
0 pts
Poor
Does not provide an example AND does not explain plasticity.
6 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuestion 3
Give two examples of how lost connections may affect us both in the short term and the long term. Is this a short term or long term impact? Why?
6 pts
Excellent
Provides two specific examples from the brain that show how lost connections influence lifelong development.
3 pts
Fair
Provides one specific example of a lost connection and how it impacts Or provides two specific examples from the video but does not explain their impact.
0 pts
Poor
Does not provide 2 examples AND does not talk about long term impacts of lost connections.
6 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuestion 4
What two specific things from the movie surprised you the most and why? How is this information useful to you?
6 pts
Excellent
Provides two specific examples from the movie and how the information was useful.
3 pts
Fair
Provides only 1 example OR does not explain how the examples are useful.
0 pts
Poor
Does not provide examples from the movie.
6 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuestion 5
How can we continue to grow our brains and make new dendritic connections as we age? What examples from your own life show dendrite growth? What does “use it or lose it” mean? What is an example of “use it or lose it” in your own life?
6 pts
Excellent
Gives examples that demonstrate dendrite growth and how use it or lose it is displayed.
3 pts
Fair
Does not provide 2 examples OR how use it or lose it is displayed
0 pts
Poor
Does not give substantial examples AND does not explain use it or lose it.
6 pts
Total Points: 30
Previous Next
