Practical Applications of Neuroscience for Learners

While brain science offers exciting insights, not all “brain-based” learning programs are trustworthy. A 2022 review by Immordino-Yang et al. in Educational Researcher warns that some programs misuse neuroscience terms to sound credible. However, evidence-based strategies can make learning more effective. For example, engaging in tasks at the edge of your ability, such as cognitive training or exercise, enhances neuroplasticity by increasing hippocampal and prefrontal cortex volume, as shown in older adults (Erickson et al., 2011; Hertrich et al., 2019). Studies reveal that interventions like martial arts and memory training boost connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, improving memory and decision-making in individuals over 65 (Wu et al., 2018; Herweg et al., 2019).

Here are five practical tips for adult learners:

• Break It Up: Study in short sessions (e.g., 20 minutes) with breaks to help your brain process information, leveraging hippocampal consolidation (Roediger & Karpicke, 2006).
• Mix It Up: Alternate between skills (e.g., practice a language, then a hobby) to boost retention, enhancing prefrontal cortex flexibility through interleaved practice (Kang, 2016).
• Engage Emotionally: Choose topics you’re passionate about, like photography or history, to make learning stick by activating the amygdala and reward systems (Immordino-Yang & Damasio, 2007).
• Embrace the Challenge: Tackle tasks that stretch but are within reach with effort, such as learning a new instrument, a new language, engaging in challenging social situations, or taking a course in a new subject. Challenging activities stimulate neuroplasticity and hippocampal growth, fostering cognitive resilience, as shown with exercise-induced volume increases (Erickson et al., 2011) and skill-learning effects on gray matter (Draganski et al., 2004).
  • A caveat, contrary to popular wisdom, is that trivial activities like crossword puzzles and passive reading have limited impact on structural brain development (Salthouse, 2011). Building and strengthening a neural network requires solving problems and overcoming intellectual, social, cognitive, and physical challenges, engaging diverse brain regions (Diamond, 2013; Cotman & Berchtold, 2002).
• Build Resilience: Practice attentiveness, journaling, and social engagement during challenging learning periods. These activities can help you reflect on and reinforce learning, strengthen prefrontal cortex regulation, and facilitate growth. The result is enhanced adaptability and long-term memory (Southwick & Charney, 2023). Attentiveness fosters a focused mindset, allowing you to leverage stress for growth and adaptability. Journaling helps process experiences, reinforcing neural connections. Social engagement, such as collaborative problem-solving, boosts emotional support and cognitive flexibility, creating a robust foundation for resilience. Together, these practices harness neuroplasticity, empowering your brain to adapt and thrive amidst academic demands, supporting sustained learning and growth-driven satisfaction.