Heads Up! Neuroanatomical Terminology Review Activity

activity type

• Game
• Large Group activity (define recommended group size in full description of activity)
• Small Group activity (define recommended group size in full description of activity)

Learning Objectives

• Describe and interpret descriptions of important neuroanatomical terms
• Identify strengths and weaknesses in terminology-related comprehension and understanding to guide future studying

Instructions

Before you begin the activity, navigate to the Wheel of Excitement: Neuroanatomy Edition! (https://wheelofnames.com/fbb-83h) and load the wheel. This wheel includes over 350 neuroanatomy terms from a Clinical Neuroanatomy course for Physical and Occupational Therapy students at McGill University, but you can click “Copy this Wheel” and edit the terms however you need for your specific needs. A list of all the terms is attached under “Supplementary Material” as a PDF.

Original Version — better for small groups

• Set a timer for a pre-determined amount of time (e.g., 2 minutes)
• The ‘clue givers’ spin the wheel on a phone or computer with the screen facing away from the ‘guesser’ and silently read the selected term
• ‘Clue givers’ describe the term aloud to the ‘guesser’ in any way they want, as long as they do NOT say any part of the term itself*
• Once the ‘guesser’ says the correct answer, spin again, and repeat until the time runs out. Feel free to keep score for a competitive twist!
• Switch roles after each round so everyone gets at least one turn as the ‘guesser’

*Additional restrictions to the description can be implemented for a more challenging game

Alternate Version (Inspired by Hedbanz [TM]) — better for large groups

• Start the same way as the Original Version, but this time the ‘guesser’ is the one who takes the more vocal role by asking YES or NO questions (e.g., “Am I a grey matter structure”)
• ‘Clue givers’ are now restricted to only answering YES or NO to each question
• Once the ‘guesser’ says the correct answer, spin again, and repeat until the time runs out
• Switch roles after each round so everyone gets at least one turn as the ‘guesser’

Technology-free Adaptation

This activity can easily also be adapted without technology or need for a large display as follows:

1. Cut paper into strips and write one term on each piece
2. The ‘clue givers’ will select one piece of paper and all look at the term, keeping it hidden from the ‘guesser’ and describe the term as previously explained
3. Once the ‘guesser’ says the correct answer, the ‘clue givers’ will select a new piece of paper with a new term
4. Repeat for the agreed upon amount of time (e.g., 2 minutes)
5. Switch roles after each round so everyone gets at least one turn as the ‘guesser’

Materials and Software Requirements

• Computer with reliable internet access* is required to use the “Wheel of Names” website
• (optional) A projector or large screen to display the terminology wheel if playing in a large group

*technology- and internet-free alternative described at the end of the Instructions section

Recommended Setup for the Learning Environment

For medium-to-large groups (10+ students):

Display the screen with the wheel on a projector to TV screen at the front of the room. The ‘guesser’ will stand with their back toward the wheel so they are the only one who cannot see the terms selected by the wheel after each spin

For small groups (or if dividing large groups into smaller groups of maximum ~3–4 students):

Students can use a personal device (computer, phone, tablet, etc.) or share one institutional computer if you have access to a media lab. The screen should be facing away from the ‘guesser’ so that only the ‘clue givers’ can see the terms