Neurocognition and Neurophysiology in Learning – Future Directions

Abstract

Productive Failure (PF) is a learning design wherein learners generate solutions for novel problems prior to formal instruction. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of PF, indicating cognitive mechanisms for why students learn better after encountering difficulties. However, neurocognitive and neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning “learning from failure” have yet to be explored, despite robust evidence connecting neural activity, heartbeats, and cognitive processes. Empirically supported theories in neuroscience suggest a connection between neural activity, heartbeats and cognitive processes. The present study is designed to explore physiological mechanisms underlying the process of learning from productive failure. In this EEG research study, we explore the neural and physiological mechanisms underlying PF, employing neural signature and heartrate variability measurements. In particular, we build a deeper explanatory basis of the productive failure learning design by exploring the underlying neural basis and the impact of different heartbeat measurements on learning through PF. Preliminary results will be presented and discussed.