Peer Review

The Reward Pathway Reinforces Behavior

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Dec 23, 2020 by Chemistry

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This is an animated presentation introducing the neurobiological concept of the reward pathway. Its objective is to introduce viewers to the definition and function of the dopaminergic reward pathway in the human brain. It is part of a much larger collection of educational materials titled “The Science of Addiction: Genetics and the Brain”.

Type of Material:

Animation

Recommended Uses:

Present in-class
Homework
Use as a basis for group discussions
Use as a basis for a discussion board

Technical Requirements:

None

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Students will be able to define the human neurological reward pathway and its purpose.

Students will be able to describe the steps by which the reward pathway reinforces positive behavior.

Students will understand the role of dopamine in the reward pathway.

Target Student Population:

Introductory neurobiology classes
Introductory biology classes
Nursing or health sciences students
Advanced high school biology classes
The interested general public

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

None.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

A clear, concise overview of the reward pathway.
Summarizes current, accurate, appropriate research in the field.
Requires no outside context, and could be used in educational several scenarios.
Integrates each new concept into the whole.

Concerns:

A little more detail about how dopamine release leads to strengthened memory and motor circuits would be helpful.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Progresses logically through the topic from first principles.
No prerequisite knowledge expected.
Relates new concepts as they are introduced.
Brief, efficient and easily incorporated into a lesson.

Concerns:

Presentation only; not designed for assessment or measurement.
No explicit statement of learning objectives (although users may feel this is obvious).

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

Interesting, quirky visually appealing animation.
Easy to figure out its use.
The text of the narration is available on-screen for accessibility.

Concerns:

One obvious typo: the text of the narration in the first panel omits a word.

Other Issues and Comments:: This animation is part of a larger related collection of educational materials titled “The Science of Addiction: Genetics and the Brain”.
Creative Commons: