Can Neuroplasticity Be Used To Improve Learning Abilities?
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural pathways in response to new experiences or changes in the environment. This capacity for brain plasticity is present throughout our lives, but it is particularly pronounced during childhood and adolescence, when the brain is growing and developing at a rapid pace.
Recent advances in neuroscience have shown that neuroplasticity can be harnessed to help improve learning abilities. There are a number of ways in which this can be done, ranging from simple exercises that can be done at home to more intensive therapies that are provided by trained professionals.
One of the most promising approaches is known as “working memory training.” This type of training has been shown to improve a range of cognitive skills, including reading comprehension, mathematical ability, and problem-solving. Working memory training works by strengthening the neural circuits that underlie working memory, the cognitive system that allows us to keep information “online” in our mind for short periods of time so that we can use it to guide our behavior.
There is growing evidence that working memory training can successfully transfer these benefits to other areas of cognition, such as academic achievement and IQ. In one recent study, a group of students who underwent working memory training saw significant improvements in their math and reading test scores, as well as their IQ scores, compared to a control group of students who did not receive the training.
Other approaches that have shown promise in improving learning abilities include computer-based cognitive training programs, mindfulness meditation, and music lessons. While more research is needed to determine the most effective techniques for enhancing learning, there is no doubt that neuroplasticity provides a powerful tool for improving cognitive skills.