Is today’s education system suitable for an ever-changing world? Does it adequately help young people develop not just their skills and intellectual capabilities, but also emotionally? Does our education system prepare young people for a world that is uncertain, complex and ambiguous?
Newsbook Malta spoke with Dr Erika Galea, an educator and researcher, and the Director of Educational Neuroscience Hub Europe Malta, about Malta’s education system and how insights from her field – educational neuroscience – can help transform our education system to better equip young people.
With its focus on rote memorisation and examination-based assessment, Malta’s current education system is struggling to keep up with the constantly changing world, failing to emphasise the 21st century skills and competences they need to flourish. Insights from educational neuroscience, however, may help facilitate this transformation.
Speaking to Newsbook Malta, Dr Galea described educational neuroscience as combining aspects of education and neuroscience. “Educational neuroscience interlinks aspects of the brain, the mind, and education – with the aim of enhancing our understanding of learning, cognition, and development,” she explained. It is “part of what has become known as ‘the science of learning’”.
Insights on how the brain functions allows educators to better cater for the needs of their students
Asked why it is important for educational neuroscience to be integrated into teaching, Dr Galea explained that that the field offers insights on the best ways to teach students based on how their brains work.
“For example, it might show how important sleep is for memory or how stress can affect learning. It can also explain why hands-on and practical activities might help some students understand better than just listening to a lecture. Teachers can use this knowledge to design lessons that help all students learn more effectively, making learning more accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” she explained.
She added that the deeper understanding of neuroscience inherent in the field can also help educators to implement strategies that enhance students’ emotional and social well-being. “This is particularly beneficial to support students with learning difficulties or special educational needs, ensuring an inclusive and equitable educational experience,” she explained.
“Embracing educational neuroscience would create a shift towards an evidence-based approach”
Dr Erika Galea said that teaching students about the brain’s capacity for change fosters a growth mindset. A growth mindset is where students understand that their intelligence and abilities can develop through effort, strategy, and perseverance, and are not things that they are simply born with and cannot change. She emphasised that by communicating to students that their brains are capable of growth and change, teachers can motivate them to engage, take risks, and learn from mistakes.
Dr Galea said that educational neuroscience can also help challenge myths about the brain’s development. “For example, the belief that intelligence is fixed and unchangeable is one such myth that has been robustly challenged by neuroscience, which demonstrates the brain’s remarkable plasticity and capacity for growth throughout life,” she explained. Dr Galea also mentioned a myth that claims we only use only 10% of our brains, a misconception that undervalues the complexity and capacity of the human brain. She warned that such misconceptions can lead to ineffective teaching strategies that undermine student potential.
“The shift towards a neuroscience-informed pedagogy enables schools to move beyond myths, fostering an educational environment that is adaptive, inclusive, and grounded in the reality of how students learn, thereby empowering them to become more effective learners,” she stated.
More hands-on activities and timely feedback would enhance learning
Dr Galea explained how active learning engages multiple senses through hands-on activities, experiments, and projects, an approach that significantly enhances information retention. “By adopting a multi-modal approach, educators can teach students using various methods, including readings, videos, group activities, and hands-on tasks, aiming to create a more effective and enriching learning experience,” she said.
She mentioned how feedback and revision play a critical role, serving as essential tools for brain development and learning enhancement. Timely and specific feedback enables students to recognise their strengths and areas for improvement, promoting a mindset geared towards growth and continuous learning.
Understanding how the brain works can allow teachers to create a more inclusive learning environment
Significantly, educational neuroscience can also help students develop emotionally and socially. “An understanding of the brain’s emotional and social wiring can lead teachers to create a more supportive and inclusive classroom environment,” explained Dr Galea. She said that by recognising the impact of stress and emotions on learning, educators can employ strategies to reduce anxiety and build a sense of safety and belonging among students, thus helping to prevent the development of mental health issues. Moreover, integrating activities designed to foster empathy, self-regulation, and cooperative skills, support brain development essential for learning and social interaction.
She thus called for the integration of social-emotional learning into the curriculum, which teaches important everyday skills such as emotional regulation, relationship skills, social awareness, and decision-making. Social-emotional learning acknowledges the link between emotional well-being and cognitive performance. It has been shown to improve the wellbeing of students and teachers, and improves resilience in the face of unexpected challenges, such as in the COVID-19 pandemic. “Strategies such as incorporating elements of social-emotional learning into the curriculum not only support academic success but also foster a classroom atmosphere that encourages participation and engagement”.
The aim of educational neuroscience, Dr Galea insisted, is to improve learning and create a future where all learners have the opportunity to reach their full potential. “This vision for education, guided by the insights of educational neuroscience, is not just about academic achievement; it’s about nurturing resilient, lifelong learners who are equipped to tackle the challenges of an ever-changing world. It is not a cure-all for education …but it does promise to find out how we can best support all learners!”
For more information, visit the Education Neuroscience Hub Europe (Malta) website or get in touch with Dr Galea at: erikagalea@educationalneurosciencehub.com.