Start Date
5-8-2013 1:30 PM
End Date
5-8-2013 2:45 PM
Recommended Citation
Arrowsmith-Young, B. (2013, August 05). Plenary 2 – The woman who changed her brain [Paper presentation]. 2013 - How the Brain Learns: What lessons are there for teaching?. https://research.acer.edu.au/research_conference/RC2013/5august/13
Aug 5th, 1:30 PM
Aug 5th, 2:45 PM
Plenary 2 – The woman who changed her brain
Comments
Neuroscience research can inform us in many ways. It can tell us about normal cognitive development: what regions of the brain and networks are critically involved in certain aspects of behaviour and learning. It can inform us about abnormal development: what regions are not functioning normally and those that could benefit from intervention with the goal of improving function in order to allow individuals to learn effectively. Through understanding the nature of various cognitive functions, we can create cognitive programs to stimulate and strengthen the functioning of these areas using the principles of neuroplasticity with the goal being to enhance functioning where it is needed to allow learning to proceed. Neuroscience can provide knowledge about brain mechanisms and processes that can be used to enhance or improve learning. The application of this knowledge needs to be guided by careful research so that the practices are sound and of benefit to the learner. This is an exciting time for educators and neuroscientists as we explore how to translate what we are learning into positive learning experiences. This knowledge has the potential to show us how we can change the capacity of the learner to learn. The pursuit of developing neuroplasticity-based interventions for education and learning will benefit from – and best serve our students if there is – strong collaboration between researchers, educators, parents and the students themselves.