2003-2004 MIL Fellows: Dr. Ly Tran-Nguyen's Project

2003-2004 MIL Fellows: Dr. Ly Tran-Nguyen's Project
the maricopa institute for learning

Neuroscience research suggests that the brain is an incredibly 'plastic' organ that is capable of lifelong changes, a concept referred to as neural plasticity (Greenough & Chang, 1989). Neural plasticity can occur in response to various factors; one factor that has important implications for teaching and learning is experience. Studies on laboratory animals have demonstrated that experience in an enriched environment is correlated with changes in brain structures and behavior (for review see Kolb & Whishaw, 1998; Rosenzweig, 1996). One implication from these animal studies is that the richer the learning experience, the better the learning. I want to apply the implication from these studies to student learning in the classroom by comparing the effectiveness of various teaching strategies on student learning and attitude. Students enrolled in Introduction to Psychology will be recruited to participate in the experiment for extra-credit during the Brain and Behavior unit. The neuroanatomy of the brain will be used as the topic of investigation because of the complexity of the topic matter. Student volunteers will be assigned to one of three conditions that involve the study of basic neuroanatomy terminology and exploration of brain structures through: 1. computer-animated CD-Rom , 2. hands-on sheep brain dissection, or 3. traditional transparency-style lectures. It is predicted that because the CD-Rom activity and hands-on dissection are likely to be more interactive and stimulating than lectures, that greater learning and retention will occur.

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