Elon Musk's company, Neuralink, is looking for people to take part in its first human trial of brain-implant technology. The goal is to connect human brains to computers, and they are specifically looking for individuals who have paralysis. In the trial, a brain-computer interface (BCI) will be implanted, which will allow participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts. The trial has been approved by the FDA, but other companies have already implanted BCI devices in humans. Neuralink's implant has 64 flexible threads that are placed on a part of the brain responsible for movement. The brain signals will be sent wirelessly to an app that will interpret the intended movements. People with quadriplegia or ALS might be able to take part in the trial. While Neuralink has an advantage with their robot-assisted implantation procedure, it's still unclear how accurate and reliable their method will be compared to other companies in the long run.
Original news source: Musk start-up Neuralink seeks people for brain-implant trial (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article or project it on a screen.
3. Give the groups a few minutes to read and discuss the article.
4. Instruct each group to write a summary of the article in their own words, highlighting the key points.
5. After a set amount of time, have each group present their summary to the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Give each group a list of discussion questions related to the article.
3. Instruct the groups to discuss each question and come up with their own answers.
4. After discussing all the questions, have each group share their opinions with the class.
5. Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to compare and debate their different viewpoints.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board.
2. Divide the class into teams.
3. Assign one person from each team to come to the board.
4. Call out a word from the list and give the students 30 seconds to draw a picture representation of the word.
5. The team members must guess the word based on the drawing.
6. Award points to the team that guesses correctly within the time limit.
7. Repeat with different words and rotate team members.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into two groups: one representing the pros and one representing the cons.
2. Assign each group to come up with arguments to support their position on the topic of brain-implant technology.
3. Give the groups time to brainstorm and prepare their arguments.
4. Have each group present their arguments to the class, taking turns and allowing for rebuttals.
5. Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to evaluate and analyze the different perspectives.
– Pass the Story
Instructions:
1. Sit in a circle with the students.
2. Start by saying the first sentence of a story related to the article, e.g. "Once upon a time, in a world where human brains could connect to computers…"
3. The next student adds the next sentence to the story, and so on, passing it around the circle.
4. Each student should try to incorporate vocabulary or ideas from the article into their sentence.
5. Continue until the story reaches a natural conclusion or a set time limit is reached.
6. Have the last student in the circle share the final story with the class.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
The goal of Elon Musk's company, Neuralink, is to connect human brains to computers.
They are specifically looking for individuals who have paralysis.
The brain-computer interface (BCI) will allow participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts.
Yes, the trial has been approved by the FDA.
Neuralink's implant has 64 flexible threads.
The flexible threads are placed on a part of the brain responsible for movement.
People with quadriplegia or ALS might be able to take part in the trial.
It is still unclear how accurate and reliable Neuralink's method will be compared to other companies in the long run.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Elon Musk's company, Neuralink, is looking for people to take part in its of brain-implant technology. The goal is to connect human brains to computers, and they are specifically looking for individuals who have . In the trial, a brain-computer (BCI) will be implanted, which will participants to control a computer or type using their thoughts. The trial has been approved by the FDA, but other have already implanted BCI devices in . Neuralink's implant has 64 flexible threads that are placed on a part of the brain for . The brain signals will be sent wirelessly to an app that will the intended movements. People with quadriplegia or ALS might be able to take part in the trial. While has an advantage with their robot-assisted implantation , it's still unclear how accurate and reliable their method will be to companies in the long run.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is a brain-computer interface (BCI)?
2. How would you feel if you could control a computer cursor using just your thoughts?
3. Do you think it would be helpful for people with paralysis to be able to type using their thoughts? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the idea of connecting human brains to computers?
5. Why do you think Neuralink is specifically looking for individuals with paralysis for their human trial?
6. How do you think the brain signals will be sent wirelessly to the app?
7. Do you know anyone with quadriplegia or ALS? How do you think they would feel about the opportunity to participate in the trial?
8. What advantages do you think Neuralink's robot-assisted implantation procedure might have?
9. How accurate and reliable do you think Neuralink's method will be compared to other companies in the long run?
10. Do you think brain-implant technology will become more common in the future? Why or why not?
11. What concerns or fears do you have about connecting human brains to computers?
12. How do you think this technology could potentially benefit society?
13. Would you be willing to participate in a human trial for brain-implant technology? Why or why not?
14. Do you think there are any ethical considerations with connecting human brains to computers? Why or why not?
15. How do you think this technology could impact the lives of people with disabilities?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!












