"Tech Brain: Mind Meets Innovation!"

All grades

Project
3 weeks

"Tech Brain: Mind Meets Innovation!"

Kiera Horgan

Purpose

This project aims to engage students in exploring the impact of new technologies on cognition, specifically focusing on learning and memory processes. By integrating theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, students will critically analyze how tools like smartphones and AI alter cognitive functions. Through collaboration with community experts and hands-on activities, students will gain a deeper understanding of cognitive psychology while developing skills to communicate their findings in various formats. This inquiry-based approach encourages students to connect academic content with contemporary issues, fostering critical thinking and informed perspectives.

Learning goals

Students will analyze the impact of emerging technologies on cognitive processes by engaging with real-world data and expert insights. They will synthesize their findings into a creative format of their choice, demonstrating their understanding of memory models and conditioning principles. Through hands-on activities and self-assessment, students will critically evaluate their own cognitive performance and the factors influencing it. By the end of the project, students will have developed a nuanced perspective on how technology shapes learning and memory, supported by both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Products

Students will create a culminating product of their choice to demonstrate their understanding of how emerging technologies impact cognition. Options include producing a podcast that discusses their findings and insights, designing an infographic that visually represents the effects of technology on learning and memory, or delivering an assembly presentation to share their research with peers and faculty. Throughout the project, students will engage in hands-on activities such as conducting cognitive tests and using brain scanning tools, which will inform their final product. These products will allow students to creatively express their learning and communicate their hypotheses and conclusions to a broader audience.

Launch

Kick off the project with an engaging "Tech-Free Day" challenge where students spend a day without using any digital devices. During this day, they will record their experiences in a journal, noting any changes in their ability to remember tasks or focus on activities. This experience will serve as a baseline for understanding the impact of technology on cognition, setting the stage for deeper inquiry into how emerging technologies influence learning and memory.

Exhibition

At the culmination of the project, students will host a "Tech and Cognition Fair" at HPA, inviting community members, parents, and local experts. Each student will present their chosen product format—whether it be a podcast, infographic, or presentation—at individual booths, allowing for interactive engagement and discussion. Community partners, such as Bill Wiecking, Jonathan Grayson, and Ray White, will be present to provide feedback and further insights, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas. This exhibition will not only showcase students' findings but also encourage dialogue on the broader implications of technology on cognition.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Tech-Free Day Challenge Introduction - Introduce the project and the essential question, then discuss the guidelines for the 'Tech-Free Day' challenge where students will refrain from using digital devices and record their experiences in journals (20 min) Cognitive Test Hypothesis - Students predict their performance on various cognitive tasks, forming hypotheses about the factors that might influence their results (15 min) Initial Cognitive Testing - Conduct initial 'no stakes' cognitive tests, such as memory and focus tasks, to establish a baseline for comparison (25 min) Reflective Journaling - Students reflect in their journals about their experiences during the Tech-Free Day and their performance in cognitive tests, hypothesizing on the role of technology in their cognitive processes (10 min)	Memory Models Overview - Explore key memory models as outlined in the AP Psychology curriculum, connecting them to students' prior experiences with cognitive tests (20 min) Brain Scanning Tool Demonstration - Introduce students to brain scanning tools and demonstrate how they can be used to visualize brain activity during recall tasks (20 min) Hands-On Brain Activity - Students experience a hands-on session using brain scanning tools to observe their own brain activity during a simple recall task, linking theory with real data (20 min) Discussion and Reflection - Facilitate a class discussion on how the observed data relates to memory models and cognitive processes, encouraging students to reflect on their learning (10 min)
Deliverables	1. Student Journal Entries documenting their 'Tech-Free Day' experiences and reflections. 2. Individual Hypotheses on the influence of technology on cognition, informed by initial observations and test results.
Preparation	1. Arrange materials for 'Tech-Free Day' including journals or digital alternatives for students to record their experiences. 2. Set up access to online cognitive tests and ensure all students have the necessary login credentials. 3. Coordinate with Ray White to schedule and prepare for the workshop, ensuring a virtual or in-person setup is equipped for interaction. 4. Provide background readings or resources related to cognition and technology to prime students for the week's activities. 5. Prepare brainstorming materials such as chart paper, markers, or digital tools for ideation sessions.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	AI and Cognition Workshop - Conduct an interactive workshop with AI expert Jonathan Grayson, exploring how AI impacts learning and memory, with real-world examples and discussion (30 min) Smartphone Usage Analysis - Facilitate a session where students analyze their own smartphone usage data, drawing connections to cognitive processes and memory retention (20 min) Group Discussion on Findings - Organize small group discussions where students share insights from the AI workshop and smartphone analysis, connecting them to memory models studied (20 min)	Cognitive Interview with Ray White - Host a session with cognitive psychologist Ray White to discuss recent research on technology's effects on memory and learning (30 min) Brain Scanning Data Analysis - Guide students in analyzing data collected from brain scanning activities, linking it to theoretical concepts of memory and cognition (20 min) Reflection and Journal Entry - Students write a reflective journal entry synthesizing what they have learned about technology's impact on cognition, incorporating insights from workshops and data analysis (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A draft outline of each group's final product, including key points and structure. This outline will guide their final presentation or creation in the following weeks.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with Ray White to ensure materials and content for the memory models workshop are prepared. 2. Prepare and set up brain scanning tools and ensure all necessary permissions and safety protocols are in place for students to use them. 3. Schedule a session with Jonathan Grayson, ensuring access to any required technology or presentation materials he may need. 4. Provide students with resources on how to draft effective outlines for podcasts, infographics, or presentations.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2
Activities	Product Development Session - Students choose their preferred format (podcast, infographic, presentation) and begin drafting their final product, incorporating insights and data from previous weeks (25 min) Peer Review Workshop - Students exchange draft products with peers for feedback, focusing on clarity, depth of analysis, and connection to memory models and cognitive theories (20 min) Final Refinements - Incorporate peer feedback to refine and enhance the final product for clarity and impact, ensuring alignment with learning targets (25 min)	Tech and Cognition Fair Preparation - Organize logistics and presentation strategies for the upcoming exhibition, ensuring readiness to engage with community partners and guests (20 min) Rehearsal and Feedback - Conduct a rehearsal of presentations or product showcases, receiving feedback from peers and instructors to polish final delivery (30 min) Reflection and Journal Entry - Write a final reflective journal entry evaluating personal growth, insights gained, and the broader implications of technology on cognition (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Final version of the chosen product format (podcast, infographic, assembly presentation, etc.) demonstrating students' understanding of how emerging technologies impact cognition. 2. Participation in the Tech and Cognition Fair, presenting their work to the community and engaging in dialogue with attendees.
Preparation	1. Ensure availability of presentation equipment such as projectors, microphones, and speakers for the Tech and Cognition Fair. 2. Coordinate with community partners to confirm their participation and roles during the exhibition. 3. Arrange materials for exhibition booths, including printed infographics, presentation boards, and any required technology for podcast playback. 4. Schedule rehearsal spaces and times for students to practice their presentations. 5. Prepare reflection prompts and facilitate group discussion for the reflective session.