Neuroscience

This area is the most important topic in my life and I continue to focus my research energy in this space. Understanding of the human brain is entirely too limited. However, these are frontier days when it comes to topics such as neuroplasticity, which undoubtedly influences education and pedagogy. Educators will need to stay on top of these developments, and continue to participate in research, because our understanding of how the brain works offers a brave new world of opportunity. While traditional theories about the developing human brain (such as Piaget’s), still hold relevance, they are certainly being put to the test by emerging science. I am interested in how the combination of understanding of neurology and the use of VR can influence human behaviour.

I have always found the subject of neuroscience to be personally interesting. While cognitive neurosciences delve into the intricacies of the brain as it creates neural pathways off learning; it will also be interesting to see how this knowledge can be practically applied to classroom settings. As an instructional designer, I would find it more relevant to know how the findings from cognitive neuroscience can be applied to the design of online learning modules. One of the other factors that appeal me about this topic is the subject of neuromyths that was also covered in ETEC 512.

As an educator, I have learned about cognition by reading lot of research papers. I was reading so many because I am in graduate school. I know I will keep learning this way because that's an habit I've acquired but what about the teachers who did not complete graduate school and are not into the habit of looking into the research to inform their teaching practice? It seems challenging to really impact teachers with neuroscience knowledge once they are certified because teachers are free to teach the way they want, within some parameters. For these reasons, and without having researched the question yet, it seems like the initial teacher training may be one of the most effective time to build these connections between neuroscientists and educators. Integrating up to date cognitive science through the curriculum as well as building those connections through teacher training (internships in labs? neuroscientists teaching classes to teachers?...) may be worth looking into.