Neuroplasticity
“Neuroplasticity (from neural – pertaining to the nerves and/or brain and plastic – moldable or changeable in structure) refers to changes in neural pathways and synapses which are due to changes in behavior, environment and neural processes, as well as changes resulting from bodily injury.[1] Neuroplasticity has replaced the formerly-held position that the brain is a physiologically static organ, and explores how – and in which ways – the brain changes throughout life.[2]”1
Consider Marc Prensky’s article: Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, Part II: Do They Really Think Differently?2
Prensky discusses some interesting ideas about students growing up in the digital age:
- The developing brain is “massively plastic” and constantly reorganizing.
- Thinking patterns change in response to experience.
- People seek experiences to enrich and organize their brains.
- People not only think about different things, they actually think differently.
- Brain reorganization requires focused attention and work. It is not casual, easy, or arbitrary.
- Children raised with computers develop “hypertext minds” that are physiologically different.
Prensky also discusses possible positive and negative changes in brain function that occur with the use of technology.
View Philip Zimbardo’s TED Talk: The Demise of Guys?
Psychologist Philip Zimbardo asks, “Why are boys struggling?” He provides statistics to support this observation and suggests that technology plays a significant role in the failure of boys.
He suggests, “Boys’ brains are being digitally rewired for change, novelty, excitement and constant arousal. That means they’re totally out of sync in traditional classes, which are analog, static, interactively passive.” 3
Read Susan Greenfield’s editorial: How Digital Culture is Rewiring Our Brains
Professor Susan Greenfield provides a very readable description of neuroplasticity and effect of technology on the human mind and brain.
“Science and technology is having an unprecedented impact on the length and quality of our lives. We have an extended lifespan and extended leisure time. Like climate change, mind change is complex, unprecedented and controversial. However, the endpoint is not one of just damage limitation. It is, rather, ensuring that we deliver to the next generation an environment that can, for the first time, enable the realisation of each individual’s full potential.” 4
References
Neuroplasticity. In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 12, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroplasticity
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, Part II: Do They Really Think Differently? Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/prensky%20-%20digital%20natives,%20digital%20immigrants%20-%20part2.pdf
Zimbardo, P. (2011, March) The demise of guys? (Video File). Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/zimchallenge.html
Greenfield, S. (2012, August 7). How digital culture is rewiring our brains. Canberra Times. Retrieved October 11, 2012 from http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/how-digital-culture-is-rewiring-our-brains-20120806-23q5p.html
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