Tuesday, December 27, 2016

A BRAINLESS SLIME THAT SHARES MEMORIES BY FUSING


The oozing yellow organism has no neurons, but it can solve mazes, make decisions, and learn by merging together
By Ed Yong
Level of difficulty: **
WATCH AND LISTEN
·         You don’t need a brain to think https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eas2zOSKIaQ
·         What humans can learn from semi-intelligent slime https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UxGrde1NDA
·         Are you smarter than slime mold? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8HEDqoTPgk
QUESTIONS
Remember to watch the videos in the text when you reach them.
1.       What is surprising about the escape artists in Dossutour’s lab?
2.       We understand from paragraph two that unicellular organisms are / aren’t expected to be able to perform………….
3.       We understand from paragraph three that Physarum is extremely clever / versatile/ active/ dull/ elastic.
4.       We understand from paragraph four that the Plasmodium
·         Is motivated into taking certain action
·         Is influenced by physical stimuli
·         Is susceptible to light
·         Hunts for its food
·         Has a sense of rhythm
5.       What does “This simple behavior” in the sentence “This simple behavior can produce extraordinary results” refer to? Be very careful. The fact that….
6.       We  conclude from the paragraph beginning “It can also rival…” that
·         Brainpower is not needed to build a rail network
·         Slime mold should be used more widely in engineering projects
·         The slime mold can move if it is fed
·         Slime mold is capable of much more than we realized
·         Slime mold needs more time than engineers to map a network
7.       What immediate conclusion can be drawn from the experiment involving repellents? Slime molds seem to be capable of….
8.       What is the ultimate conclusion we can draw from the experiment? It seems to be possible…
9.       We understand from the second bridge experiment that once habituated slime mold is allowed to fuse with completely unhabituated slime mold, …(Mark T/ F)
·         Memories are transferred
·         Memories are concentrated
·         Memories are not eradicated
·         Memories remain intact
·         Memories can become fused
10.   The conclusion that can be drawn from the experiments with slime mold and worms is that………………….
11.   What does “that” at the end of the text refer to?
WRITING TASK
Write a one paragraph summary of the text
A BRAINLESS SLIME THAT SHARE MEMORIES BY FUSING; KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES
This is a fascinating science text detailing the incredible feats single cell life forms like slime mold can perform despite not having neurons. It should appeal to science students.
1.       They are slime molds
2.       Aren’t/ complicated and almost intelligent behavior
3.       Versatile
4.       Is influenced by physical stimuli
5.       The fact that it behaves like a colony
6.       Slime mold is capable of much more than we realized
7.       Habituation
8.       For a cell to learn
9.       T / F/ T/ T/ F
10.   Memory doesn’t depend on neurons
11.   How the brainless majority are able to adapt their behavior in changing environments



Sunday, December 25, 2016

Learning about Learning Disabilities



Learning disabilities are neurologically-based processing problems. These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/or math.  They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention.  It is important to realize that learning disabilities can affect an individual’s life beyond academics and can impact relationships with family, friends and in the workplace. Moreover, learning disabilities should not be confused with learning problems which are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor handicaps; of mental retardation; of emotional disturbance; or of environmental, cultural or economic disadvantages.

It should be noted that a learning disability cannot be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong challenge. However, with appropriate support and intervention, people with learning disabilities can achieve success in school, at work, in relationships, and in the community.

Prepared by: GÖZDE SIZAN, my teaching assistant at The School of Foreign Languages, Boğaziçi University

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE TOPIC

  • Listening: What are learning disabilities and how to cope with them?
  • Prezi: Learning Disabilities by Alyssa Tharp
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmNdTmZQc18
  • Learning Disabilities and Their Symptoms
  • How to cope with learning disabilities
  • Listening: Learning Development and Difficulties by LearnFast Education (8 videos)

COMMON TYPES OF LEARNING DISABILITIES

DYSCALCULIA - difficulty with math

  • Understanding Dyscalculia
                https://prezi.com/jhvluozo8hbc/dyscalculia/
  • My world without numbers | Line Rothmann by TEDx Talks (12 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlPFv_EDnvY

DYSLEXIA - difficulty reading

  • Learning Dyslexia by Listening
  • Prezi: Dyslexia by Colleen Packman
                https://prezi.com/kalt-t7fmnt0/dyslexia/
  • I have Dyslexia. What does it mean?
                http://dyslexia.yale.edu/whatisdyslexia.html
  • Dyslexia Explained: What's It Like Being Dyslexic? by Nessy (8 mins)
  • A Short Film about Dyslexia by GRIMFilm (7 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaQfuxODpog
  • Test for Dyslexia: 37 Common Traits
  • The True Gifts of a Dyslexic Mind | Dean Bragonier | TEDxMarthasVineyard by TEDx Talk (17 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dPyzFFcG7A

DYSGRAPHIA - difficulty with writing

  • Dyslexic Advantage | What is Dysgraphia? by Dyslexic Advantage (3 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMfl5kqSWmk
  • Symptoms of a Teenager with Dysgraphia
  • Prezi: Dysgraphia by Sarandon Landers
                https://prezi.com/eeo6lqj8oeef/dysgraphia/

DYSPRAXIA - difficulty with fine motor skills

  • Dyspraxia by FixersUK (3 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfbXEc3tKc
  • What is Dyspraxia?
  • Prezi: Dysapraxia by Kathryn Russel
                https://prezi.com/e-x8wwz8gsak/dyspraxia/
  • Dyspraxia Children: How to Help (2 mins)
  • Childhood dyspraxia: James' story by NHS Choices (4 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncnVYonMA5Y

DYSPHASIA/APHASIA - difficulty with language

  • What is Aphasia?
  • Prezi: Broca’s Aphasia by Rose Jansen
                https://prezi.com/xcw8baxzu6ud/brocas-aphasia/
  • Aphasia: The disorder that makes you lose your words - Susan Wortman-Jutt by TED-Ed (6 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GsVhbmecJA
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTdMV6cOZw
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tbSSgUGgrY

AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER (APD) - difficulty hearing differences between sounds

  • Learn more about APD by listening
  • What is APD?
  • Prezi: Auditory Processing Disorder by Jamie Goehring
  • What is Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)? by Gemm Learning (2 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq4EXctw-wc
  • Causes, Symptoms and More: Auditory Processing Disorder by LearnFast Education (6 videos)
  • Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) - How does it feel like? (4 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzegGXoZY30

VISUAL PROCESSING  DISORDER – difficulty interpreting visual information

  • Listening: Visual Impairment
  • Visual Processing Issues
  • Prezi: Visual Processing Disorder by NJ
  • What are the differences between Dyslexia and Visual Processing Disorder?
  • Visual Problems & Dyslexia by dystalk (11 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gj2jQvG0LU
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=464wT_ose6M
  • A Child's View of Sensory Processing by ESGWNRM (10 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1G5ssZlVUw

OTHER DISORDERS THAT MAKE LEARNING DIFFICULT

ADHD - difficulty focusing

  • Learn more about ADHD by listening
  • Prezi: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) by  Shevanie Singh
  • Let Me Be Your Camera - Understanding ADHD - ADHDPerkins (3mins)
  • 10 Tips for Going to College With ADHD
  • What ADHD Feels Like by BuzzFeedVideo (3mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL483G4xKu0
  • ADHD As A Difference In Cognition, Not A Disorder: Stephen Tonti by TEDxTalks(14 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU6o2_UFSEY

AUTISM - pervasive developmental disorders

  • Listening: Autism
  • What is Autism?
                http://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asd.aspx
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbXjW-cX9kQ
  • What is Autism? by ScottishAutism
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7JbMEyPxHs
  • Living with Autism - Ky's Story by Autism Queensland (5 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4J59GY8DR4
  • BBC - My Autism and Me by AutismAssociation’s Channel (15 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejpWWP1HNGQ
  • Stranger In The Family (Autism Documentary) - Real Stories (52 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZOfjMXNPik

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

  • Prezi: Learning disabilities in College Students
  • College Steps: Support for Students with Autism or Learning Disabilities by The College Steps (14 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLp-7Ylq5sw
  • As They See It: Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities by Bookshare (4 mins)
  • Study tips for students with learning disabilities by WWLP-22News (7 mins)
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsvTgzGjLQc
  • 10 Tips for College Students with Disabilities

Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE TERRIBLE WORLD OF THE VICTORIAN WORKHOUSE


There was no safety net for the poor in 19th century Britain. There were no welfare benefits, free national healthcare, soup kitchens and numerous other safeguards. Instead, the poor were placed in workhouses, out of sight and out of mind. There they suffered and often died. Do your research and find out more about this despicable institution and tell the story.
Familiarize yourself with the issue: Documentary
·         Watch the documentary: The horrific world of England’s workhouses  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikdlIMgFE6g
Familiarize yourself with the issue: Listen to the podcast
·         Our ancestors and the fear of the Victorian workhouse http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/our-ancestors-and-the-fear-of-the-victorian-workhouse/ 
Reading material to make notes on:
·         Before welfare: True stories of life in the workhouse http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/475994/Before-welfare-True-stories-of-life-in-the-workhouse
·         Punished for being poor: London’s forgotten workhouses http://londonist.com/2014/04/punished-for-being-poor-londons-forgotten-workhouses

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

WHY DO INTELLIGENT PEOPLE HAVE FEWER FRIENDS?


Recent research has shown that smart people seem to have fewer friends. Do your research and find out why and then analyze the causes. Before you start, you may like to take a few tests to determine where you stand.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  
Thanks are due to my student F.Hazel Şen for preparing this interesting activity
Familiarize yourself with the issue:
·         Take some tests to see where you stand: https://www.psychologytoday.com/tests/iq
·         Take the test: Do you make friends easily? http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/rM1GP3/Do-you-make-friends-easily
Reading material to make notes on:
·         Psychologists explain why intelligent people friends
·         Why smart people tend to be loners
·         Why smart people are better off with fewer friends
·         Scientists have a fascinating theory to explain why smart people should spend less time with friends  http://www.businessinsider.com/why-smart-people-should-spend-less-time-with-friends-2016-7
Videos to watch and take notes from:
·         Why smart people tend to be loners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiElSiMJxio
·         Intelligent people have fewer friends  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJr226idrFg
·         Why smart people have fewer friends  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-MvWHhGf9g