Scientists Hopeful They Can Predict Learning Capacity in Individuals

Researchers of the Functional Neuro-imaging Laboratory at the Universitat Jaume I and the Center for Brain and Cognition at the Pompeu Fabra University, have conducted a ground-breaking study which gives us insights as to how we can identify the learning ability of each individual simply by looking at their brain connections when the brain is at rest.

The study was published in the Journal of Neuroscience this month and provides robust claims that scientists will soon be able identify the predictors of learning capacity in individuals.

The study

The study has looked into what kind of connections the brain makes when it’s at rest. The participants had their MRI images taken when at rest and during a task, when they were asked to identify two phonemes that are normally indistinguishable to non-native Indian speakers.

The results indicated that two brain areas that are learning-associated predicted which participants actually were able to understand the difference between the two phonemes better than those who couldn’t at all, or had a hard time doing it.

Subsequently, the researchers seemed t have discovered that probing into the brain at rest, can reveal the learning capacity of individuals.

Its implication for education

The study has a promising prospect for education.

Up until now, scientists didn’t extensively study the brain at rest, in contrast to studying it when in action mode. This new research direction, shows to be hitting bull’s-eye in understanding how the brain learns and how it changes because of learning.

In essence, the study confirmed that your brain when at rest, can accurately tell you how much you can learn from a new learning task, be it a new language, math, science, anything really.

Looking at how brain plasticity and morphology can indicate what kind of learning outcome one might achieve, means we can predict in advance what are the most efficient learning patterns and methods to teach, the researchers pointed out.