Make learning engaging

How Cognitive Science can help the educator manage classroom distractions and build active processes

Simply put, Cognitive Science is the study of mental processes and brain structures in acquiring, storing and using information. The field has multiple dimensions with cognitive psychology, philosophy and neurosciences being some of the more applied fields. Cognitive Science is being researched and used in any industry that requires human intervention and complex decision making. Right from education, smart cars, medical professions to security systems, cognitive science and related technology is making its mark.

The foundation lies in understanding the core of cognitive processes. In education, we start from basic questions like ‘how long can one stay on a particular task before losing focus’, ‘how the brain interprets information’, and ‘how we can manage distractions.’ The objective is to understand how various perceptions like visual, auditory and tactile impact the learner and the process of learning. Educational processes become more engaging if teachers develop a better understanding of cognitive sciences and psychology.

With increasing use of technology in all parts of life, data capture and processing have become a possibility that can be explored and used to impact decisions. The difficult part today is not the absence of technology but its abundance; it becomes vital to test and identify which tools can get the targeted outcomes.