A brief overview of the panel discussion for the 2015 South by Southwest Edu conference. Panel participants are Sheryl Abshire, Ph.D., Adam Hall, and Steve Miller, Ph.D.

1. 1
The Neuroscience
eLearning Revolution

2. 2
Objectives
Provide an update on the pros and cons of
neuroscience-based eLearning solutions
View and review a demonstration of real-time brain
activity interacting with learning content
Discuss the unique challenges and potential benefits
for school-based implementation of new
neuroscience-based technology solutions

3. 3
Breakthroughs in neuroscience
“We have learned more
about the brain in the
past five years than
during all of human
history combined.”
CHARLIE ROSE, talking with ERIC
KANDEL, Nobel Laureate in Medicine, Columbia
University
View the Charlie Rose Brain Series at
http://www.charlierose.com/view/collection/10702

4. 4
Behavioral and
Linguistic Studies
April Benasich
Susan Curtiss
Judy Flax
Heeso Kim
Kala Lakshmi-Narayan
Rachael Stark
Electrophysiological
Studies
April Benasich
Naseem Choudhury
Paavo Leppanen
Jennifer Thomas-Friedman
Animal Studies
Holly Fitch
Mike Merzenich
Christine Brown
Matthew Clark
Albert Galaburda
Bill Jenkins
Itzel Orduña
Glen Rosen
Imaging studies
John Gabrieli
Elise Temple
Mirella Dapretto
Julie Fiez
Nadine Gaab
Gary Glover
Steve Petersen
Russ Poldrack
Terry Jernigan
Monty Buchsbaum
Frank Wood
Sri Nagarajan
Urs Ribrary
Rudolpho Llinas
Russell Harter
Bob Eason
Robert Knight
Gene Linkage Studies
Linda Brzustowicz
Christopher Bartlett
Judy Flax
Teresa Realpe
Intervention Studies
Mike Merzenich
Steve Miller
Bill Jenkins
Barbara Calhoun
Gail Bedi
Thanassi Protopappas
Joe Hardy
Henry Mahnke
Our Neuroscience Investigators/Collaborations
fMRI
MRI
PET
MEG
EEG

5. 5
The Neuroscience eLearning Revolution
Three trends converging …
Increasing power of
COMPUTING
TECHNOLOGY
Accelerating
breakthroughs in
NEUROSCIENCE
DISSATISFACTIO
N with eLearning
approaches
Neuroscience
eLearning
Revolution

6. 6
Technology development
Pupil Dilation, Galvanic Skin
Response, Eye Tracking
fMRI
MEG
(Magneto-
encephalography)
Dense-array EEG
1960s-80s
2000s
1990s
BIOMETRIC
MEASUREMENT
BRAIN ACTIVITY MEASUREMENT

7. 7
Stanford University Imaging Study
Brain processes are more “normalized”
following Intervention.
normal Struggling readers, before training Following intervention
cortical areas critical
for reading
Temple et al., PNAS, 2000; 2003

8. 8
Neuroscience and eLearning breakthroughs
have accelerated since 2000
•Recent breakthroughs in neuroscience and data processing
•Large research agencies investing and partnering (NIH, NSF, DARPA, Dept of Ed)
•Measurement tools adapted and scaled to scientific research protocols
PAST
“macro”
understanding
NOW/FUTURE
“micro”
understanding

9. 9
The future is already here
• WWC reviewed neuroscience interventions
• Self-administered annual brain health check-up
• Biometrics-aided meditation
• Web-based brain training to become safer drivers
• iPad-based cognitive screenings
• Cognitive baseline tests via a mobile device
• First brain-based biomarker to predict depression
treatment responses
• Educational brain fitness campaign by national insurer
• Cognitive exercise found to benefit older adult brain,
plasticity is lifelong!
Adapted & Revised from “The Digital Brain Health Market 2012-2020”

10. 10
Demo with Audience
Do I have your attention……….now?
I dial in and listen to
your brain
We present
instructional content
Then we review the
peaks & valleys in
attention
Review the neurometrics
for comparison

11. 11
Sample Discussion Points
1. Brain research is one of the fastest growing areas of science.
How do educators react to new innovations from brain
research?
2. Can you discuss specific examples where brain research has
uniquely facilitated a specific educational issue or challenge?
3. Biosensors and EEG are currently being used in Industry,
Healthcare and Gaming what are the potential pros and cons
for bringing this technology to schools and eLearning?