In the past what was essentially a missing block in the education system has now been placed effectively to cement the existing gap.
And by the missing block, we are here emphasizing on the ‘emotional aspect’ of the learners which clearly were ignored out rightly in the yesteryear.
Modern science has showed a series of evidences which reflected upon this important point that learners’ emotion or mood are an integral part of cognition. A students positive and negative moods affect the way they see the world around them. They either broaden or simply narrow their peripheral vision.
In this regard, the introduction of neuroscience in the pedagogical and social science research has however provided a meaning path through which school environment can become a place where learning is at the center of education. In addition, by weaving neuroscience into the pedagogical process, it has resulted to enhanced learning and assisted in developing more effective educational policies.
The importance of neuroscience in education and how it can illuminate education has been beautifully explained in the video below by an expert of psychology. Take a look to understand it better.
I would like to discuss on the areas where neuroscience has actually showed scope of important reforms in education and how based on it, learning is modified for better.
- The Centre of Developing Child had emphasized that most of the educators do not have a very clear understanding of the early childhood education. So when educators started to take the help of neuroscience to obtain information on what drives a child to learn or how to overcome their early disadvantages, they found a huge impact on learning success.
- Again because of neuroscience, students are now allowed to select from a wide course guide and space their lessons over time. The spacing effect mainly indicated in learning complicated ideas not at one time but over some time as it enhances understanding and the creation of new neurons. And for the teachers, they are now able to divert their knowledge in curriculum development and improvement based on the facts of spacing learning for optimal absorption.
- It is because of neuroscience that educators are able to address to the different needs of a child because they have understood well that no two brains work alike and it is the personal experience which shows where information is stored in the brain. So in this connection, different digital tools have been developed to help students fulfill individual needs. Teachers are also encouraging students to get exposed to novel experiences while presenting information so that it caters to the individual needs of the students.
- Another introduction is that of cognitive tutoring that is in its early stage and is helping students to learn by doing. It is based on cognitive psychology theory. This was also addressed because of the reflection of neuroscience researches. We are thus seeing the rise in the use of AI systems to adjust to students needs and track the progress of the students to guide them better.
- Neuroscience has stressed a lot upon making learning a more pleasurable experience as it is fun that helps the body in releasing dopamine. This element actually helps the brain to remember facts. In this regards, game based learning program is doing a good job in making learning more fun.
- Neuroscience has pointed out time and again on the positive impacts of social learning experiences. Supportive group learning experience like game based learning can help in the release of dopamine in the body. And this helps the students to better remember facts over a long term. Learning in group also reduces the anxiety level in students which is considered as one of the major stumbling blocks in the effective learning process. And it is because of this that we now see schools and colleges widely encouraging group discussion and group learning in the curriculum.
- Neuroscience has also helped to identify the learning disabilities and address these shortcomings to help students academically perform better. Biomarkers and diagnostic strategies that are increasingly used to strategize for disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia are again an offshoot of neuroscience research. This is why, teachers educating students with special needs can quickly intervene to any disabilities and help them learn better.
Clearly, with the help of various neuroscience research information, education reformers are able to design ways by which learning process is fast becoming dynamic and highly productive allowing educators to assist students all the requisite skills of a future ready citizen. So do you agree?
Please let us know your views on the same and if you have been making the utmost use of neuroscience to reform the education system.
