Tech-Mind-Teach

I heard this interesting item on NPR's All Things Considered. In addition to publishing paper atlases used by brain researchers, a company has created an interactive map, 'Brain Navigator'. It is a 3-D representation of a rat's brain which can be rotated and viewed or represented side by side in 2D with accompanying map information. The company seeks to become the "Google Maps for nueroanatomy". Plans are in the works for mice monkey and human brain navigators.

If your organization just invested in whiteboards you may not want to see this video. If you're interested in a low-cost solution, you won't believe how easy it can be. Our technology department just presented this idea to our superintendent and he was floored. Here are some more info links: http://www.uweschmidt.org/wiimote-whiteboard http://arch.eece.maine.edu/ideas/images/6/67/Whiteboard.pdf And a new wiimote project, Smoothboard, from BoonJin: http://www.boonjin.com/wp/category/wiimote

What is "whole brain emulation"? Think of it as a model of the brain built on a 1:1 scale. Ultimately theorist propose a functioning model that is indistinguishable in its behavior from its original scanned brain. Sounds like science fiction? Anders Sandberg and Nick Bostrom of the Future of Humanity Institute have published " Whole Brain Emulation: A Roadmap " which provides an extensive overview what would be required to accomplish various functions of the brain and likelyhood of success in the foreseeable future. The appendix provides interesting "estimates of the computational capacity/demands of the human brain", which reviews previous research and then "forecasts future . . . computer performance . . . needed to make rough estimates of when brain emulation will become feasible in terms of computer storage and processing capacity."

During a surgery to reduce tremors, banjo player Eddie Adcock plays his banjo and responds to doctors directions. The deep brain stimulation procedure requires implanting of electrodes into the brain and in order to ensure accuracy doctors had to have Mr. Adcock awake to help in placement.

The U.S. Department of Education today launched U.S.A. Learns, a free Web site to help immigrants learn English. The Web site provides approximately 11 million adults who have low levels of English proficiency with easily accessible and free English language training. Launch of the site completes one of the goals in President Bush's Aug. 10, 2007, announcement of 26 immigration reforms that his Administration would pursue within existing law -- including the assimilation of new citizens and helping immigrants learn English to expand their opportunities in America. Recognizing that "knowledge of English is the most important component of assimilation" and "an investment in tools to help new Americans learn English will be repaid many times over," the Administration pledged to launch a free, Web-based portal to help immigrants learn English. U.S.A. Learns offers the following features: * An easily accessible Internet learning tool; * Simple directions; * ...

People who are completely paralyzed due to illness or trauma are getting help communicating with a new technology that connects their brains to a computer. Scott Pelley reports.

Tech-Mind-Teach covers current trends in research based instruction, innovative technology (in and out of the classroom), and other matters related to mental health, the brain, and related research. Enjoy!