Neuroplasticity & Resilience
Growing Neural Networks
Benefits of Understanding Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is ability of the brain to change throughout a person's life, for example grey matter can change, and synapses can strenghten or weaken over time.
Traditionally the brain was thought of as static, unchanging, and locked - however research shows that aspects of the brain are actually 'plastic' and can change, especially for developing brains.
Understanding the principles of neuroplasticity can greatly benefit learning - simply by recognising and accepting that abilities can be developed, and learning is a formation of new or stronger neural pathways can change the way our brains work.
Principles of Neuroplasticity
- Use it or Lose it: neural circuits not acitvely engaged can begin to degrade over time, this is something I am already well aware of after learning a language, and learning an instrument, if you don't include these practices in your daily life the knowledge begins to fad. Knowing this I will be sure to include some form of coding in my daily life.
- Use it and Improve it: Learning that drives a specific brain function can lead to enhancement of that function - I know my JavaScript skills could do with a lot of improvement, but I also know not to feel frustrated or give up because of this. Once I begin to build and strengthen those neural networks it should become much easier to understand and use.
- Repetition Matters: Basically Eat, Study, Sleep, Repeat! Without forgetting to keep a healthy work/life balance of course.
In order to keep the brain flexible and plastic, we must ensure sustained practise of a new behaviour where the brain is sufficiently challenged.
Putting the brain outside its comfort zone, and developing skills that cause you to struggle will help to enhance the plasticity of the brain.
Growth Mindset
There are two types of mindsets that we can cultivate, one being fixed mindet, and the other a growth mindset. Those who see problems are interesting challenges, rather than things to be avoided can be thought of as having a growth mindset.
This type of mindset is invaluable to learning, as this creates a love for learning, with endless opportunity for growth - though it is not uncommon to switch from one type to the other.
This exploration in to the concept of a 'Growth Mindset' is interesting as it causes me to reflect on my personal learning journey, and recognise times where I embraced challenge and excelled - and other times when I was perhaps tired, or needed a break and saw tasks as something to get out of the way with a fixed mindset.
Ways I will embrace a Growth Mindset:
- Try things, especially when I am not sure of the answer, and not worry about failing
- Know that I can learn anything if I want it enough
- Know that failing is part of learning
- Embrace constructive feedback to improve
- Motivate my peers to succeed to help my own growth