Our Brain @ Work: A Dialog-led Textbook
by Jorg-Peter Ewert /
2017 / English / PDF
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I have learned that, while writing textbooks, a straightforward writing style seldom rouses or captures readers enthusiasm for a topic. Why is that the case?
This question is comparable to one asking why seminars? in which a thread of themes is led by dialogs between lecturers and students on the one hand, and among students on the other. In fact, the ancient Socratic Interactive Methodteaching that involves inquiry and discussionhas advantages over the traditional instructor-centered method that adopts the chalk and talk approach. Since the Socratic Method requires reflection, rouses motivation and cognition, it also enhances memory.
Therefore, in the present textbook Our Brain at Work, I have implemented a dialog style and named it Dialogs in Neurobiology. The protagonists are the lecturers David Winter, Robert Blackwood, Walter Cornwell and students of Senior High with college preparatory education. The conception is that they will cast a spotlight on selected issues regarding brain research: a five-day building blockwithin the framework of a scientific workshop programprovides students with basic knowledge of brain function and is conceived of as an introductory course for a preliminary orientation in dealing with a topic. In this taster course, the competency of young students to ask questions and evaluate problems will be promoted.
While preparing this book, I was inspired by the experiences from various seminars and lectures I have held in my academic life.
An automatic, hyperlinked table of contents allows the reader to navigate easily and quickly the menus. At the end of the book, relevant references are provided. These are indicated by hyperlinked numbers in the text. Selected external linksweblinksrefer to special, meritorious subjects, which are directly relevant to a theme. All these links allow for tackling topics in depth, such as preparatory work for credit courses in psychological and brain sciences.
My aim is to reach out to and engage young people, students and teachers who are interested in examining the human brain at work.
