Neuron Notes

Randall E. Osborne

Description:

The students are asked to write brief five minute in-class thought papers, "neuron notes", after a particularly difficult topic is presented, such as the difference between a positive and negative correlation. I stress that students should write about their interpretations of the issue or concept covered in the discussion. In this manner, I receive immediate feedback on how students perceive the material that was presented. I also use these personal thought papers when discussing any issues where individual opinions might get involved. When assigning the note, I will ask students to reflect on their opinions and to try to separate what they feel from what they think.

Goal:

The neuron notes help students to clarify their thinking by alleviating some of the confusion that students face after they leave a lecture on a more challenging topic. It is another method for getting students to reflect on the material being presented.

Grading Method:

Students turn in the neuron notes as soon as the classroom time allocated expires. A five point grade is earned for doing the assignment to encourage student participation. The papers are not graded, as students' responses are too subjective to assign a grade.

Method of Student Feedback:

After reading the notes, I comment to the individual students whether their understanding of the topic is on target and suggest other related issues that they might want to consider researching.

The above activity was originally published in the Sept/Oct 1995 issue of The Psychology Teacher Network. The activity is reprinted here with the permission of the Education Directorate of the APA. Further publication of the activity is not permitted without the express written consent of the Education Directorate.

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