Building Bridges - Education and Neuroscience - Speaking a Common Language for the Benefit of Learning

Abstract

The Symposium 2022 of the Institute for Education focused on “The Neuroscience of Learning”. It is a known fact that the brain and learning have an intimate link and when learning happens, the brain undergoes a change which can be chemical and structural. The papers presented here provide a remarkable insight into the area of neuroscience and create a connection with learning or the disposition of the individual to learn. The affective domain is placed at the forefront of the studies, highlighting the effect it has on the development of the child and the outcomes of the educational journey. Though brain research and its relation to learning is still in its early stages, it is imperative that we continue to delve into this field to investigate the processes that can be adopted to create a positive educational journey. It is through the collaboration between neuroscientists and educators that the pathway towards the development of a person’s full potential can be achieved. However, language can be a major barrier, considering the jargon used when communicating methodologies, analyses, and findings. Thus, bridging the language can be considered the initial factor that may result in translating the scientific findings of neuroscientists into personalised strategies used in the classroom and in the community to overcome learning hindrances and exploit the brain’s potential.