Unit rationale, description and aim
Practitioners of Speech Pathology require a sound understanding of the relevant structures and functions of the central and peripheral nervous system to be able to understand communication and swallowing processes and how disease or dysfunction affects them. In this unit students are introduced to normal structures, functions and development of the nervous system as well as neural plasticity, medical imaging and major change across the lifespan. This includes the somatosensory systems, motor systems, and the role of the brainstem, cranial nerves, and executive systems in controlling speech, language and swallowing processes. Common congenital, degenerative and acquired neurological disorders will also be examined. This aim of this unit is to enable students to develop a solid foundation in neuroscience knowledge for application to future theoretical and clinical learning related to speech pathology management.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unitLearning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Explain in detail the normal structure and functio...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply knowledge of the normal structure and functi...
Learning Outcome 02
Interpret the results of basic testing of the cran...
Learning Outcome 03
Relate principles of neuroplasticity to the assess...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
Background
- Importance of neuroscience to the practice of speech pathology – the nervous system and communication
- Structure and function of nervous system
Neurological development, neural plasticity and major changes across the lifespan
- Embryonic development and impact on speech/ language/ swallowing function
- Principles of neuroplasticity and implications for communication and swallowing
The central nervous system related to normal movement, sensory, speech and swallowing functions
- Brain
- Cerebrum – structure and function
- Cerebral connections
- Areas of cortex and their function
- Basal nuclei, – structure and function
- Diencephalon – structure and function
- Cerebellum – structure and function
- Brainstem – structure and function
- Protection and blood supply to the brain
The peripheral nervous system related to normal speech and swallowing functions
- Relevant cranial nerves
- Relevant spinal nerves
Neural pathways
- Sensory tracts
- Motor tracts
- Lower versus upper motor neurons
Neurological organization
- Language
- Speech motor control
- Swallowing
Functional impact of damage or disorder to CNS, PNS and neural pathways: Common congenital, degenerative, and acquired neurological disorders, such as:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Cerebral Palsy
- Motor Neurone Diseases
- Traumatic brain injury
- Stroke
- Dementia
Assessment strategy and rationale
This unit aims to develop student’s foundational knowledge around the functions and processes of the nervous system relevant to speech pathology. A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with university assessment requirements. Such procedures include, quizzes, written tests and examinations. Quizzes will be used throughout the semester as a baseline assessment that allows students to demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of key concepts and regularly identify gaps in their current knowledge. The quizzes focus on student’s acquisition of knowledge and understanding of foundational information and key concepts related to learning around LO1 and LO2.
The mid semester test is a written examination which requires student to apply their understanding of key concepts to a number of straightforward case scenarios. These build on the understanding tested in the short quizzes and assesses both LO1 and LO2. The mid-semester test also functions as preparation for the final exam by providing formative feedback on their ability to apply knowledge and understanding to straightforward cases. The final examination will assess student’s knowledge of neuroscience and their capacity to apply this knowledge to case scenarios. This format allows students to demonstrate their understanding by explaining, predicting, describing and interpreting information using clinical and applied scenarios and assesses LO3 and LO4 as well as LO1 and LO2.
Overview of assessments
Quizzes: Enables students to demonstrate their ab...
Quizzes: Enables students to demonstrate their ability to identify and understand key terms, structures and their related functional processes.
20%
Mid-semester test: Enables students to communicat...
Mid-semester test: Enables students to communicate in written format their understanding of structures and key concepts, as well as apply their understanding to straightforward applied scenarios.
40%
Written examination: Enables students to understa...
Written examination: Enables students to understand, recall and retrieve key concepts around both normal and abnormal states. Enables students to demonstrate understanding by explaining, predicting, describing and interpreting information and applied case scenarios.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit involves 150 hours of learning with a combination of face-to-face lectures and interactive face-to-face tutorials, as well as self-led learning. Lectures provide an opportunity to present key concepts and relationships in a structured framework, and to demonstrate with practical examples.
Tutorials incorporate small group activities, use of anatomical brain models, video simulations, web-based learning, computer software simulations (utilizing 3D imaging software) and problem solving activities, these are coupled with case-based learning and whole group theoretical discussions of the unit content around each of the main themes studied. The tutorial sessions therefore provide experiential learning with concrete activities related to neuroscience and collaborative learning to provide the opportunity to explore key concepts and apply information to complex scenarios, case studies and speech pathology application. Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within group activities, demonstrating respect for the individual as an independent learner.
Student self-directed learning activities are used to support students to construct their own understanding of concepts that are further consolidated in tutorials, the use of this strategy is consistent with active learning.
The teaching and learning strategies underpin the emerging development of the graduate and professional attributes.