Nerve Cells by geralt comprises public domain material. This week we will employ both visuals and words to create a collaborative learning exchange. This will be achieved through the generation of an

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Nerve Cells by geralt comprises public domain material.

This week we will employ both visuals and words to create a collaborative learning exchange.  This will be achieved through the generation of an informative Poster and supporting explanatory discussion.  In STEP 2 instructions for the Poster component are outlined. 

STEP 1: Explore your interests

Based upon this week’s lessons, pick a part of the brain you would like to learn more about. 

  • Do some background research, finding a minimum of one scholarly journal article from the UMGC Library that provides insight into that part of the brain.
  • From the article, choose 3 or more interesting facts about the part of the brain you are researching and explain the facts.  In some detail, using your own words, prepare to present the facts either in your poster or in the text box of this discussion.

STEP 2: The Power of Images to Inform

Pick an aspect of your research and show it off! [This is your chance to be creative and to express what you are learning in a uniquely informative way – with pictures and images.]  What you select to display is up to you.  Here are some examples to get your creative thoughts flowing. Select…

  • details about the part of the brain
    • Neurotransmitters
    • Lobes (Parietal, Frontal, and Occipital)
    • Brain Stem (Reticular Formation, Pons, Medulla)
    • Cerebellum
    • Spinal Cord
    • Thalamus
    • The Limbic System (Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland, Amygdala, Hippocampus)
    • Two Hemispheres
    • The Cortex (Sensory and Motor Cortex)
  • the result from an experiment
  • the importance of some research
  • favorite insights, graphs, or charts

NOTE: You do not have to summarize all of your research.  Your objective is to create an interesting visual (think: infographic or google slides or even a PowerPoint) so that an outside observer could quickly learn more about your chosen topic. 

To build your visual component for this assignment you will need to include the following:

  1. At least 2 images (pictures, charts, and graphs all count as images) and
  2. Your research reflecting the information you found pertaining to the area of the brain you researched.  You will need to integrate your research and include in-text citations when referencing your research.
  3. Your reference page in APA format. For in-text citations (in the body of your poster) cite the author’s name and publication date i.e., (Thompson, 2018). Your full reference list can be placed either at the bottom of the visual or in the textbox of the discussion.

You should put effort into this assignment, but please do not feel overwhelmed by creating a visual. There are tools available to make your information look inviting and presentable while not requiring skill or knowledge in graphic design.  Think of your visual as making a simplified “poster” about either a part of the brain or a study that teaches about that part of the brain. You may design the poster in any medium you desire, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Google Slides, or some other program. Suggestions include:

  •  
    • Canva – a really easy to use and convenient tool because it has a lot of free shapes and designs for you to use. This program does not specialize in infographics, however, so you will want to choose the option to create a “poster” or “presentation.”
    • Infogram – a fabulous tool if you want to include a chart or graph in your infographic.
    • Easel.ly – has some great pre-designed Infographic options to work with.

STEP 3: Share and Discuss

When your visual is complete post it here.  Following your image provide a short paragraph describing the image, summarizing what your research shows, and explaining why you found it interesting.

***Two samples are provided for your review***

  • Hippocampus*
  • Pineal Gland Poster*

STEP 4: Peer Engagement

Post responses (75-100 words each) to at least two classmates. In your response, list a least three things you have learned from your classmate’s visual, relate this to what you learned from your reading in the text or from listening to one of the videos, and tell us why you think this information is important.

Part of the Brain Infographic Assignment. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution

*These samples are prior students’ products. Feedback to these students likely noted the following details:

  • The Hippocampus presentation, in the references list there should be a period after “The Saylor Foundation”.
  • Pineal Gland poster sample’s reference list: The National Cancer Institute (n.d.) article should be listed first in support of alphabetizing the list.  The page numbers’ formatting for the Nichols (2018) article should be corrected as follows: the  “0=36.” should be “30-36.”