Neuroscience & Education
Education hasn’t had a major shift since the 20th century, but with the emergence of research in Educational Neuroscience, scientists are discovering new ways to reimagine the science of learning.
Early Education
A Shift in Focus: The Importance of Childhood Development
Early childhood development is important because it lays the foundation for a child's future health, behavior, and learning. The first eight years of a child's life, especially the first three years, are critical periods of brain development. During this time, the brain's architecture is established, and trillions of connections between brain cells are formed.
In the proliferation and pruning process, simpler neural connections form first, followed by more complex circuits. The timing is genetic, but early experiences determine whether the circuits are strong or weak. Source: C.A. Nelson (2000). Credit: Center on the Developing Child
"InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development"
Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child highlights key concepts in early brain development and their implications for lifelong health, learning, and behavior. It explains that brain architecture is shaped over time, beginning before birth and continuing through early childhood.
The document emphasizes the importance of early interventions, especially in situations involving toxic stress, which can harm brain development. It advocates for balanced development strategies that combine emotional, social, cognitive, and language skills to ensure success in school and later in life. (Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child)
Consider…
How does toxic stress disrupt brain architecture, and what are the neurological mechanisms behind this impact on long-term brain function?
How can neuroscience inform the design of early education programs to optimize brain development and enhance cognitive outcomes?
In what ways can modern neuroimaging technologies track the impact of early educational environments on development?
National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)
The mission of NIEER is to transform early education ecosystems through the power of research. They collaborate with a wide range of practitioners to provide researched-based analyses of current early childhood policies and practices. The institute is founded on the value that all children deserve an equitable early childhood education as well as one that ensures developmental wellness. Some of their practices include:
A rendering of early education excellence in terms policymakers can use and the public can understand
Monitoring and evaluation of national and state progress toward early educational excellence
Development and analysis of model legislation, standards, regulations, and other policies required to improve quality and increase access to good preschool programs
Compares the costs, outcomes, and economic benefits of alternative policies
By targeting policy-making and media, they work to close the gap between research and action in the field. NIEER starts discussions surrounding early education policy in order to foster a collaboration of change.
Cognitive Training
Competition in a New Industry: The Use of Neurofeedback to Improve Learning Outcomes
Cognitive training (CT) uses tasks like memory games to improve brain function, with varying results based on individual factors such as age and starting cognitive abilities. Neurofeedback, which uses brain activity monitoring to help individuals adjust their mental states, has been combined with CT to enhance its effects.
This combination, known as CT with neurofeedback (CTNF), has shown greater benefits for memory, attention, and executive function compared to CT alone. As brain imaging technology improves, CTNF could become more widely used to maintain cognitive function in daily life.
The Gamification of
Cognitive Training
The Billion Dollar Market Microsoft And Sony Are Ignoring
Brain training, a field focused on cognitive enhancement and neuroplasticity, has gained popularity through companies like Lumosity and Posit Science. Yet, current brain-training games lack the addictive, immersive qualities of blockbuster console games.
This Forbes article suggests that if big-budget developers were tasked with creating brain-training games, they could combine entertainment with cognitive benefits and potentially revolutionize the market. The challenge is to make brain games fun and engaging while incorporating proven cognitive improvements, balancing marketing and gameplay. The article concludes by questioning why these two worlds—console gaming and brain training—haven’t merged on a larger scale yet.
A Large-Scale, Cross-Sectional Investigation Into the Efficacy of Brain Training
Many factors contribute to the efficacy of cognitive devices, such as duration, previous exposure, and training frequency. This report from the National Institute of Health looks at the overall performance of cognitive training, and comments on how much of the research surrounding neurofeedback involve small-scale studies. By comparing brain training and cognitive activities, scientists find that there is a more complex relationship between brain training and cognitive performance.
Video Games and Brain Health: The Rise of Wearable Headsets in Cognitive Training
THYNK is revolutionizing brain training by merging cutting-edge technology with video game-based training to enhance cognitive skills such as attention, impulse control, and self-regulation in children. Through the use of their EEG-powered headset, THYNK taps directly into brainwave activity, allowing for real-time monitoring and personalized feedback during gameplay.
THYNK’s video game approach not only fosters intrinsic motivation but also helps children develop sustained focus and attention in an enjoyable and natural way, making it a game-changer in both cognitive development and educational neuroscience. (THYNK Revolutionary Brain Training)
Consider…
Do devices aimed at improving learning outcomes give an unfair advantage to those who don’t have access to them?
How can cognitive training be leveraged to support neurodiverse students or deficits in higher executive function?
What applications do neurofeedback have in the medical world, specifically for patients with neurological disorders?
Neurodiversity
How have findings in neuroscience informed education for neurodiverse learners?
Findings in neuroscience have significantly informed education for neurodiverse learners by highlighting the need for inclusive pedagogical practices that account for diverse brain functions. Research in neuroscience has shown that neurodiverse individuals, such as those with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, process information differently, which necessitates a shift in how educators design and deliver instruction.
The integration of models like the Quantum Ten (Q10) Equity Framework, which incorporates neuroscience-based principles such as trauma-informed practices and growth mindset, further demonstrates how neuroscience has shaped educational strategies. These frameworks recognize that neurodiverse students often face unique emotional and cognitive challenges and require tailored support systems to achieve their full potential. (Exploring and Developing Pedagogies for Neurodiverse Students).
In "Creating an Inclusive Classroom for Neurodivergent Learners," Carissa Domrase advocates for a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach to better support neurodivergent students, such as those with ADHD or autism, many of whom remain undiagnosed in childhood.
Creating an Inclusive Classroom for Neurodivergent Learners
In "Creating an Inclusive Classroom for Neurodivergent Learners," Carissa Domrase advocates for a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach to better support neurodivergent students, such as those with ADHD or autism, many of whom remain undiagnosed in childhood.
Domrase emphasizes offering students choices in assignments, promoting work-life balance to prevent burnout, and fostering self-reflection to support their sense of self. By embedding flexibility and empathy into classroom practices, teachers can create a more inclusive environment that benefits all learners, whether or not they have formal diagnoses.
Consider…
How can schools target executive functioning skills in neurodivergent students?
What steps can schools take to identify and support students who may not have formal diagnoses?
What are some alternative methods teachers can use to assess student understanding?
Special Education Law & Advocacy / Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District
Endrew F. Case Decided: Supreme Court rules on how much benefit Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) must provide
The U.S. Supreme Court case Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District Re-1 (2017) centered on the level of educational benefit that public schools must provide to students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Endrew F., holding that schools must offer an IEP that is "reasonably calculated to enable a child to make appropriate progress in light of the child's circumstances."
Senator Creigh Deeds / Creigh Deeds Facebook
New York, Virginia become first to require mental health education in schools
In 2018, New York and Virginia became the first states to enact laws requiring mental health education in schools. This groundbreaking legislation required all public schools to incorporate mental health instruction into their K-12 health education curricula.
New York's law updates the health curriculum for elementary, middle, and high schools to include mental health topics, emphasizing its importance as part of overall health. Virginia's law mandates that mental health education be included in the physical education and health curricula for ninth and tenth graders.
Virtual Learning + AI
The shift to virtual learning and AI’s impact on student outcomes, critical thinking, and educational equity.
COVID-19: How virtual learning shifted the foundations of modern education
The following institutions have published studies that highlight the biggest educational concerns following the pandemic.
Brookings Institute
A study conducted by Megan Kuhfeld, Jim Soland, Karyn Lewis, and Emily Morton highlights the alarming decline in math and reading test scores among U.S. students from 2019 to 2021. One of the most concerning findings is the widening achievement gap between students in low-poverty and high-poverty schools.
National Institute of Health
Vanessa Ratten's study highlights how changes from COVID-19 have reshaped the educational experience and what this means for future teaching methods. The rapid adoption of digital tools, including online learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and simulations, has significantly altered the way students engage with educational content.
Harvard Graduate School
of Education
Unlike previous assumptions that family background, income, or access to technology would be the most significant factors affecting learning during the pandemic, the data in this study revealed that the location where children lived had a more profound impact.
Consider…
What ethical considerations arise when using AI to monitor student behavior and performance?
How can the rise of AI influence student attitudes towards learning, or affect the way they approach new content?
How can educational systems balance utilizing digital tools and maintaining human interactions?
AI Technology In the Classroom Raises Questions About Student Outcomes
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has been a transformative force, offering new ways for students to engage with technology and learn about the world around them. From online games teaching university-level AI concepts to high school students, to virtual AI avatars guiding young children through foundational AI lessons, AI is reshaping the educational landscape.
These AI-driven initiatives, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), are not just about introducing AI into classrooms but also about teaching students how AI works, fostering critical thinking, and preparing them for a future where AI will play a significant role. (Source)
Highlighted Articles
Artificial Intelligence In Education: Teachers’ Opinions On AI In The Classroom
The article Artificial Intelligence In Education: Teachers’ Opinions On AI In The Classroom by Ilana Hamilton, published on Forbes, explores the growing impact of AI in education based on a survey of 500 U.S. educators. The survey highlights that over 60% of teachers are already using AI tools, with younger educators showing the highest adoption rates. The article concludes that AI will likely continue to influence education, though it is not expected to dominate it completely.
The future of learning: How AI is revolutionizing education 4.0
The article The Future of Learning: How AI is Revolutionizing Education 4.0 by Tanya Milberg from the World Economic Forum discusses the transformative role of AI in education. It highlights that AI can support teachers by automating administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on personalized student interactions, thus enhancing rather than replacing human-led teaching. To fully realize AI's benefits in education, substantial investment in infrastructure, training, and data protection is necessary, ensuring that AI contributes to closing educational gaps rather than widening them.
Next Up in Educational Neuroscience
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, with the CANDLE Innovation Lab at USC, guides the transformation of schools, policy, and student and teacher experience.
“The USC Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE) brings educational innovation and developmental affective neuroscience into partnership, and uses what is learned to guide the transformation of schools, policy, and the student and teacher experience for a healthier and more equitable society.” (Source)
Bruce McCandliss
Bruce McCandliss, with the Stanford Educational Neuroscience Initiative, investigates school-subject development and differences among a variety of learner profiles.
“The Educational Neuroscience Initiative at the Stanford Graduate School of Education is aimed at creating a new form of actionable research that links school-based educational innovation with advances in the neuroscience of emerging math and reading.” (Source)