Possible warm ups / cool downs. And the winner is no, not a movie, b ut a word

The expression to ‘get one’s thinking cap on’ has just taken on a new and quite literal meaning. Scientists have invented a device that can allow human thoughts to control a computer’s actions. Four volunteers wore a special cap, containing 64 electrodes that were ultra-sensitive to brainwave activity and brain signals. The machine interpreted the volunteers’ thoughts “to control rapid and accurate movement of a [computer] cursor in two dimensions”, according to researchers Jonathan Wolpaw and Dennis McFarland of the New York State Department of Health and State University. Not quite Hollywood-style robotics... yet, but getting there.

The researchers say Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) “can provide communication and control to people who are totally paralyzed.” The whole procedure is completely non-invasive, needing no surgery. It opens up a whole world of possibilities and hope in its application, especially for people disabled with spinal cord injuries and severe motor disabilities. Brain power may soon be able to control motorized wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs. The age of the Bionic Man and cyborgs may come sooner than we think. This is truly a major breakthrough in neuroscience, and may even pave the way for a Nobel Prize for the researchers.

1. CHAT: Talk in pairs or groups about ‘man machines’, thinking caps, brainwaves, robots, cyborgs, brain power controlling computers, science fiction…
To make things more fun, try telling your students they only have one minute (or 2) on each chat topic before changing topics / partners. Change topic / partner frequently to energize the class.

2. THINKING ALOUD CAPS: Pairs. Student A has the Thinking Aloud Cap and ‘controls’ the movement and actions of Student B, who responds to Student A’s spoken thoughts. Change partners / pairs. A group of students / the whole class could wear the caps and control one student, or teacher!

3. ROBO-MOVIES: Write the following movies on the board, all involving cyborgs. Students talk about them in pairs/groups:
RoboCop, Terminator, Matrix, Inspector Gadget, The Six-Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, AI (Artificial Intelligence), Bladerunner, Tron, I Robot...
Students talk about cyborg characters in their own cultures (Kamen Rider in Japan).

4. 2-MINUTE DEBATES: Students face each other in pairs and engage in the following (for-fun) 2-minute debates. Students A are assigned the first argument, students B the second. Rotate pairs to ensure a lively pace and noise level is kept:
(a) Robots will control us one day. vs. Impossible.
(b) Aliens will control us one day. vs No way.
(c) With this new technology we will have superhuman strength. vs. Our body is still limited.
(d) This technology is dangerous in the wrong hands. vs. It’s just science.
(e) One day we won’t need to learn English, just ‘download it into our brains. Vs. You’ve watched Matrix too many times.
(f) One day we will be able to recoed and watch our dreams – in Stereovision. vs. I hope not.
(g) This technology will help police and the court system to read the minds of suspects. Vs. That’s Big Brother (an invasion of privacy)

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