Research Neuroplasticity

Discuss how understanding the principles of neuroplasticity benefits people.

Neuroplasticity is the ability for our brains to be rewired rather than being at a stand still after a particular age. This allows us to learn new skills, change negative traits and behaviour, understand information and even heal from brain injury.

Understanding principles of neuroplasticity can help improve our learning and our growth mindset as well as other cognitive functions like memory and emotional regulation.

Discuss how you might engage with the principles of neuroplasticity for your benefit.

For me, I like the idea of practice and developing stronger pathways so that I can be more confident in my learning. I am generally pretty quick to understand concepts but they don't always settle in my brain for me to use again later on. The idea of practicing and trying things in different ways will help my learning in the long-term.

What are some of the ways to increase your neuroplasticity?

• Learn a new skill like I am doing by learning to code!
• Getting out of autopilot and switching up your usual routine like driving a slightly different route to the supermarket
• Exercise and healthy lifestyle activity can help improve cognitive function such as memory ad learning
• Meditate this can enhance your focus and attention and change the function of the brain
• Rest 7-8 hours sleep is very important for a healthy brain

Link to a resource that you found particularly useful or engaging.

What Is Neuroplasticity?

Research Growth Mindset

Discuss what it is and why it is relevant.

Growth mindset is similar to neuroplasticity where the core concept is that your skills are not set in stone and that you are capable of improving. The difference between the two is that neuroplasticity is a function of the brain, whereas growth mindset is a idea or thought process.

Growth mindset can help you overcome challenges, reduce stress, improve adaptability and even put you at an advantage amongst your peers, especially those with a fixed mindset. With a growth mindset, you will be driven to learn and improve and get better, which often generates better results than those who continue to do things as they always have.

In this exploration, did anything surprise you? Change for you?

Yes, the idea of measuring success and failure against perseverance rather than the end solution was interesting. In maths, instead of an incorrect solution to the problem being an automatic failure, if the person keeps trying to learn and figure the correct answer, than that is where success is! The key word in all of this is "yet" and that you might get something right the first time, but it's not a failure, you just haven't gotten it yet.

How will you integrate growth mindset into your learning journey?

I'd like to practice this mentality around failure more often and hopefully get out of the stress spiral of needing to be right. I want to reward myself for the process of learning just as often as I do when I have a great end result.

Link to a resource that you found particularly useful or engaging.

Unlocking potential with the growth mindset

Blend with your learning plan and strategies

Reflect and discuss how these understandings may shape or influence your learning plan and strategy.

Haha funny, I put my strength as learning things quickly which feels a bit counterintuitive but also makes sense that I want to work more on rewarding learning rather than the final result.

I hope these skills around neuroplasticity and growth mindset help me to become more resilient when it comes to overcoming challenges, and that I can frame them to be more positive experiences.