The ability to train the adaptive brain with good habits yielding individual well-being and the greater good of our societies following the neuroscientific research revelations on neuroplasticity. Shouldn't this be the guiding principle for all our education systems?
https://centerhealthyminds.org/feature/neuroplasticity?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_recent_activity_details_shares%3BMEGr%2B7M6QeKOtHPjFqOURQ%3D%3D&licu=urn%3Ali%3Acontrol%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_recent_activity_details_shares-object
Barbara Arrowsmith Young, has written a lot about this. She is Canadian educator and author, who founded the Arrowsmith School in Toronto and the Arrowsmith Program. Her method borrows a lot from neuroplasticity and she's been featured in Norman Doidge's book (The Brain That Changes Itself) due to this. Her method is somewhat controversial, but you'll find leads to pursue readings in neuroplasticity and education here.
Surely the problem of training the neuroplastic is mind is that once trained it may lose some measure of its plasticity? We need be very careful.
I have no doubt though that this is true. I remember the case of a boy of 16 who was lobotomised by a psychiatrist who regrew the connection again.
How does (1) free will, (2) individual choice, and (3) individual autonomy fit into this neuroplastic educational system.
Dennis
Dennis Mazur
What this means for us, is that whether we are consciously aware of it or not, our brain systems develop, expand, reconstruct, atrophy, and even “die” based on what we end up attending to in our thought life. Our brains have the capacity to:
- Reactivate circuitry that hasn’t been utilized in a while. This explains the phenomenon that we never really forget to ride a bike or play an instrument even if we haven’t utilized the skill in a while.
- Generate new neural connections. Whenever you learn or experience something for the first time, your brain has the ability to create new synapses that solidify your learning.
- Rewire its circuitry. Portions of the brain that were once used for other activities can be refashioned to perform other functions. For example, someone who has experienced brain trauma from a stroke or accident can learn to utilize other pathways to re-learn critical skills.
- Minimize the neural activity that no longer serves you. Even if one has experienced major trauma or significant suffering, the brain can work to diminish the activity in the part of the brain that was needed at the time of trauma to survive the stress. Once a person is able to develop new coping strategies, their brains can soften the activation of the neurons containing the stressful memory and instead activate new memories of safety.
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