Neuroplasticity

Goals:

1. Describe neuroplasticity.
2. Apply what you learn about neuroplasticity to improve your knowledge, performance, or habits.

Neuroplasticity (What)

Neuroplasticity refers to the process of the brain growing in response to experiences. This process involves the growth of dendrites (branch-like extensions of neurons) and the strengthening of synapses (connections between neurons).

This is the biological basis of learning; that is, all learning involves this mechanism as the brain must form new neural connections and strengthen existing ones to encode and store new information and new ways to move as in a better golf swing.

Neuron

A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system that enables us to think, feel, move, and perceive the world around us. Neurons transmit information through electrical and chemical signals.

Examples

Basketball.

A person who is skilled at shooting free throws has become skilled because their neurons have grown dendrites and connected at synapses. This growth process was caused by practice with improvements (repetitions).

In more detail, when a person practices shooting free throws, they are repeatedly performing the same motor task. This repetitive practice leads to the growth of dendrites in the neurons involved in controlling the muscles used for shooting. These new dendrites allow for stronger connections between neurons, making it easier for the brain to coordinate the movements necessary for a successful free throw. Over time, this practice-induced neuroplasticity results in improved skill and accuracy.

Calculus

A person who understands calculus and easily applies it has become this way because their neurons have grown dendrites and connected at synapses. This growth process was caused by practice with improvements (repetitions).

Similar to the basketball example, understanding calculus and applying it involves complex cognitive processes that rely on neuroplasticity. Repeated practice and problem-solving exercises can lead to the growth of dendrites and the strengthening of synaptic connections in the brain regions involved in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving. This neural reorganization facilitates the efficient processing and application of calculus concepts.

Rationale

Here are some reasons why understanding neuroplasticity is worthwhile.

1. You can optimize your own learning and the learning of others by understand how to facilitate neuron growth and connection.

   1. Then this learning can be applied to get great results.
   2. Also, the learning can be directed at emotion and physical wellbeing.

2. You can solve problems associated with learning (your learning or the learning of others) by applying your understanding of neuroplasticity.

3. Over time, you can gain confidence that you or anyone else can learn anything because brains have the ability to grow.

4. Neuroplasticity teaches us that learning is simple; all we need to do is engage in repetitions of experience with improvements integrated with these reps.

Here are some concerns.

1. Neuroplasticity challenges conventional wisdom.
   1. The idea that all people learn the same (dendritic growth and strengthening of neural connections) runs counter to the beliefs that everyone learns differently.
   2. Many people believe that people who excel at math or other things (music, business, engineer) do so because they have an innate talent as opposed to “they learned it.”
2. Learning is simple– all that is needed is to engage in repetitions of experience with improvements built into the reps. However, note the following.
   1. This is not how most people believe that learning works.
   2. This is not how teaching and learning usually take place.
   3. For this to work there needs to be some essential elements: good information, rewards, feedback, enriched environments, and so on.

Neuroplasticity (How to Apply)

Learn by engaging in repetitions of experience with improvements in knowledge and performance integrated into the experiences.

Teach by guiding learners so that they engage in repetitions of experience with improvements built into the process.

Example: Balancing Chemical Equations

To balance a chemical equation means to make the number of atoms the same on both sides of an equation. For example, this is a balanced equation: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O.

To learn to balance chemical equation, figure out the ideas and then practice apply them. Each practice session is a repetition. Space your repetitions out over days, weeks, months, or even years. After each practice session, improve your knowledge or your performance by using reflective thinking (RT). Repeat this until it is super easy to balance chemical equations.

Example: Active Listening

A person who is skilled at active listening consistently causes others to feel valued, listened to, and understood.

To learn active listening, get the requisite information from a book or teacher of similar. Then practice applying these ideas in your everyday world. Each time, you practice is a repetition. Space your reps out over days, months, or years. After a given rep, improve your knowledge and skill by engaging in Reflective Thinking (RT). After many reps, your listening will be superb, automatic, and easy because your brain has rewired. You will know you have learned active listening because you will frequently be thanked and praised by others.

Visualization of Neuroplasticity

Learning is process of growing neurons. A neuron is a type of cell in the brain and in other parts of the nervous system.

@fig-mit shows photographs of neurons for humans and on other animals. On average, a human neuron in the brain is about 0.7 mm long.

@fig-healthline, from healthline, shows a typical textbook image of a neuron.

Here are the parts of a neuron

• Dendrites: These are the branched extensions that receive electrical signals from other neurons at junctions called synapses.

• Cell body (soma): This is the central part of the neuron where the information received by the dendrites is processed.

• Axon: This is a single, long fiber that transmits the electrical signal away from the cell body to other neurons.

Learning causes two things.

1. Growth of dendrites, which involves both branching and extending, creating more complex neural connections.

2. Strengthening of synapses, the connection points between neurons, enhancing communication and forming more efficient neural pathways.

@fig-rg shows a real image of two neurons that have connected (source).

As learning progresses, dendrites grow and branch and connect. Also, the synapses are strengthened. Learning creates a neural network in the brain. This is why things are easy and automatic after learning has happened.

@fig-smilk shows how brain cells grow during learning. In the right pane of this sketch, notice how the cells have branched and connect after a lot of learning has taken place.

The preceeding image is from Tools for Writing: Using the Natural Human Learning Process | Rita Smilkstein

Here’s a breakdown of the points.

• Dendritic growth and branching: As you learn, the dendrites of neurons involved in processing that information extend and branch out. This creates more surface area for them to connect with other neurons.

• Synapse strengthening: When neurons communicate frequently, the connections between them, called synapses, become stronger. This makes it easier for those neurons to activate each other in the future.

• Neural network formation: With these strengthened connections, a network of neurons forms that represents the learned information or skill.

• Easier and automatic tasks: Once this network is established, the brain can process the information or perform the skill much more efficiently. This is why things become easier and automatic after learning.