Dr Lara Boyd - Public Salon: - Educational Neuroplasticity

Summary

Dr. Lara Boyd, a neuroscientist at the University of British Columbia, discusses the fascinating concept of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to change throughout life in response to learning and experiences. She highlights the importance of behavior in driving these changes, emphasizing that both positive and negative habits can reshape the brain. Boyd also delves into the challenges and potential of applying neuroplasticity to education, aiming to tailor learning experiences to optimize brain development and learning outcomes for individual students.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The human brain is a complex and mysterious organ that is responsible for both our achievements and failures, and is a subject of intense research.
• 🔍 Dr. Lara Boyd's work focuses on understanding how the brain learns and changes, using tools that allow for the observation of the brain's structure and function.
• 🧐 Contrary to popular myths, the brain is never silent and uses more than 10% of its capacity at any given time.
• 🌟 Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt throughout a person's lifespan, which is a significant area of study in neuroscience.
• 🆕 Learning new skills or experiences alters the brain's structure, demonstrating that our brains are constantly evolving.
• 💡 Behavior is the primary driver of neuroplastic changes in the brain, with both positive and negative behaviors influencing brain health.
• 🔬 Three main processes contribute to neuroplasticity: changes in brain chemistry, structural changes in the brain's 'wiring', and alterations in how brain regions function together.
• 🚀 Recent discoveries have challenged previous beliefs, such as the idea that myelin, the brain's white matter, does not change, showing that it can indeed be affected by learning and practice.
• 🤔 Limiting factors in neuroplasticity include the difficulty in learning new skills or languages and the varying degrees of recovery after brain damage.
• 🏫 Educational neuroplasticity is an emerging field that aims to understand how educational systems can be tailored to optimize brain development and learning in children.
• 🌐 The traditional education system has been likened to an uncontrolled neuroscience experiment, highlighting the need for personalized educational interventions.
• 🛠 Challenges in educational neuroscience include the unique way each individual's brain changes, necessitating personalized approaches to learning.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Dr. Lara Boyd's research?

Dr. Lara Boyd's research focuses on understanding how the human brain learns and changes, a concept known as neuroplasticity.

What does the term 'neuroplasticity' refer to?

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt throughout a person's lifespan, both in structure and function, in response to new skills, experiences, and learning.

What technology allows researchers to see the connections in the brain?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology allows researchers to visualize the connections, or 'wiring', in the brain.

What common myth about the brain has been debunked by MRI technology?

The myth that humans only use 10% of their brain at any given time has been debunked by MRI technology, which shows that the brain is never actually silent.

How does learning affect the brain's white matter structure called myelin?

Learning can affect the myelin, which is the insulation along the long wires in the brain, by changing its structure during learning, especially when the learning is challenging but not too hard or too easy.

What is the primary driver of neuroplastic change in the brain?

The primary driver of neuroplastic change in the brain is behavior. Engaging in stimulating and healthy behaviors can positively change the brain, while less stimulating and unhealthy behaviors can negatively change it.

What are the three main processes involved in neuroplastic change?

The three main processes involved in neuroplastic change are rapid changes in brain chemistry, changes in the structure of the brain's connections, and changes in how brain regions function together.

Why did Dr. Boyd mention that she was wrong about the white matter structure called myelin?

Dr. Boyd mentioned she was wrong about the white matter structure called myelin because she previously believed it never changed, but new discoveries have shown that myelin does change with behavior and practice.

What is the new field of study that Dr. Boyd is involved in, which combines neuroscience and education?

The new field of study that Dr. Boyd is involved in is called educational neuroplasticity, which aims to understand how educational interventions can be tailored to children's needs and development.

What challenges does Dr. Boyd see in the traditional education system in terms of brain development?

Dr. Boyd sees the traditional education system as a one-size-fits-all approach that does not account for the unique developmental needs and readiness of individual children's brains, leading to some students finding it too easy and others struggling.

What is the goal of the research cluster in educational neuroscience and neuroplasticity at UBC?

The goal of the research cluster at UBC is to bring together neuroscientists, educators, and policy scientists to create personalized learning interventions that optimize educational outcomes for children based on their individual brain development.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 The Mysteries and Opportunities of Brain Learning

Dr. Lara Boyd, a neuroscientist at the University of British Columbia and a scholar at the Peter Wall Institute, discusses the fascinating and complex nature of the human brain. She delves into the questions of how we learn and the changes that occur in the brain to facilitate learning. Using magnetic resonance imaging, researchers have been able to visualize the brain's connections, debunking myths about brain usage and silence. Dr. Boyd emphasizes the concept of neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change throughout life, and how learning new skills or experiences alters the brain's structure. She also touches on the importance of behavior in driving neuroplastic changes, which can be both positive and negative depending on the nature of the activities engaged in.

05:04

🚀 Challenges and Potentials of Neuroplasticity in Education

In the second paragraph, Dr. Lara Boyd shifts the focus to the challenges and potentials of neuroplasticity, particularly in the context of education. She questions why we can't learn anything we want and why educational outcomes can vary so widely among students. Dr. Boyd introduces the field of educational neuroplasticity, which aims to understand how the brain's capacity for change can be leveraged to improve learning outcomes. She discusses the traditional education system as an uncontrolled experiment, where a one-size-fits-all approach may not cater to the individual needs of students. The goal is to create personalized learning interventions that provide an optimal level of challenge for each student, fostering an environment where learning is effective and the brain changes in a beneficial way. Dr. Boyd highlights the importance of collaboration between neuroscientists, educators, and policy scientists to develop educational strategies that are informed by an understanding of the brain's plasticity.

Keywords

💡Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It is central to understanding how the brain functions and supports learning and behavior. In the video, Dr. Lara Boyd, a neuroscientist, discusses how the brain changes to allow learning, emphasizing the importance of neuroscience in education and rehabilitation after brain damage.

💡Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience. The video highlights neuroplasticity as a key concept, illustrating how learning new skills or information can alter the brain's structure and function, a process that is both exciting and crucial for understanding how we learn and recover from brain injuries.

💡Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI is a medical imaging technique used to visualize detailed images of the body's internal structures, including the brain. In the script, Dr. Boyd mentions MRI as the technology that allows researchers to see the brain's connections and wiring, which is vital for studying how the brain changes with learning and development.

💡Myelin

Myelin is a fatty substance that acts as insulation around nerve fibers in the brain, aiding in the efficient transmission of electrical signals. The script discusses the surprising discovery that myelin changes with behavior and practice, particularly during challenging learning experiences, which contradicts previous beliefs that it remains static.

💡Educational Neuroplasticity

Educational neuroplasticity is a burgeoning field that explores how educational practices can be tailored to support the brain's natural capacity for change and growth. Dr. Boyd introduces this concept, suggesting that understanding neuroplasticity can lead to more effective educational strategies that are personalized to individual students' needs.

💡Neurobiology

Neurobiology is the study of how the nervous system develops, functions, and interacts with behavior. Dr. Lara Boyd holds the position of Canada's Research Chair in neurobiology, indicating her expertise in understanding the biological processes underlying brain function, which is integral to her research on learning and brain changes.

💡Peter Wall Institute Scholar

The Peter Wall Institute is a research institute that supports interdisciplinary scholarship. Being a Peter Wall Institute Scholar signifies Dr. Boyd's involvement in collaborative and innovative research, as mentioned in the script, which underscores her contributions to the field of neurobiology and learning.

💡Behavior

In the context of the video, behavior refers to the actions and activities that individuals engage in, which can positively or negatively influence brain changes. Dr. Boyd emphasizes that behavior is the primary driver of neuroplastic changes, meaning that both stimulating and sedentary behaviors can alter the brain, but in different ways.

💡Cognitive Development

Cognitive development encompasses the growth of an individual's cognitive abilities, such as learning, memory, and problem-solving skills. The script discusses how the brain continues to change throughout one's lifespan, indicating the importance of cognitive development in understanding how we learn and adapt.

💡Neuropathology

Neuropathology is the study of diseases and injuries of the nervous system, including the diagnosis and understanding of conditions like stroke. Dr. Boyd mentions having taught a neuropathology class, reflecting her background in understanding how the brain recovers from damage, which is relevant to the discussion of neuroplasticity.

💡Personalized Learning Interventions

Personalized learning interventions are educational strategies tailored to meet the unique needs and abilities of individual students. The script suggests that creating such interventions is a challenge and an opportunity in educational neuroscience, aiming to optimize learning outcomes by aligning educational practices with each student's cognitive development.

Highlights

The human brain is a source of both remarkable achievements and catastrophic failures, and remains a profound mystery.

Understanding the brain is a key focus of research, particularly in Vancouver, with Dr. Lara Boyd as a leading figure.

Dr. Lara Boyd discusses the fundamental questions of learning and the brain's role in this process.

Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia is uncovering how the brain changes to facilitate learning and growth.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology enables the visualization of the brain's intricate connections.

Contrary to popular myths, the brain is never silent and uses more than 10% of its capacity at any given time.

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt throughout a person's lifespan.

Learning new skills or experiences alters the brain's structure, demonstrating its adaptability.

Behavior is identified as the primary driver of neuroplastic changes in the brain.

Three main processes underlie neuroplastic change: brain chemistry, structure, and regional functionality.

Myelin, the brain's white matter, was previously thought unchangeable but is now known to adapt with learning and practice.

Optimal myelin change occurs during challenging learning experiences, not when tasks are too easy or too hard.

The limitations and facilitators of neuroplasticity are critical in understanding why some learning is successful and some is not.

Educational neuroplasticity is a new field exploring how educational systems can be tailored to children's brain development.

The traditional education system is likened to an uncontrolled neuroscience experiment with varying outcomes for students.

UBC is pioneering research in educational neuroscience to inform and tailor educational interventions.

Challenges in educational neuroplasticity include creating personalized learning interventions to optimize brain change.

The uniqueness of individual brain changes postulates the need for personalized educational approaches.

Dr. Lara Boyd is committed to advancing educational neuroscience to improve learning outcomes for all students.

Transcripts

the human brain is responsible for amazing human achievements but also our

catastrophic failures the brain is such a mystery and understanding it will

bring great opportunities fortunately it is the focus of intense research much of

it being done right here in Vancouver our first guest is Canada's Research

Chair in neurobiology and learning and a Peter Wall Institute scholar to boot

please welcome Dr. Lara Boyd thank you so much for inviting me here tonight

it's a real pleasure and a real treat to get to share with you a little bit about

what I think about every day at work so how do we learn and what happens in our

brain to allow that learning and these are the questions that I'm fascinated

with and I am just lucky enough to get to stew in my days thinking about at UBC

so Sam mentioned I'm Lara Boyd I'm a neuroscientist at the University of

British Columbia and it is a real privilege to get to think about how our

brains change to allow us to learn and to grow this is my brain and it's

magnificent not because it's my brain because of how intricate and elegant and

beautiful it is and we live in a remarkable time because we have tools

now that allow us to look inside the human brain and living behaving people

and try to understand how does it work how does it change so that we can learn

and grow has it changed with development and that's what we get to do so this is

from a magnetic resonance image it's a technology that allows us to see all the

wiring or all the connections in the brain so all the connections from front

to back side to side and top to bottom and from being able to create images

like this we've learned a tremendous amount of things about the brain so

first we've been able to debunk things that aren't true so no you don't use 10%

of your brain at any given time that one's not true and no your brain is

never actually silent arrest one of the best things in my

opinion that we've learned is that your brain continues to change throughout

your lifespan from the time you're born really until the time we die and it has

a remarkable potential for change and that's what we call neuroplasticity and

so what we've learned is that every time you learn something new you learn a new

skill and in fact you have a new experience you change your brain and so

tonight when you leave this room your brain will be different than when you

entered it and I think that's really pretty cool hence the title of my talk

so this is neuroplasticity this is this idea that all new skills and facts are

accommodated by changing our brains we're doing it throughout our lifespan

there's one catch about neuroplasticity it's exciting and thrilling but the

number one driver of neuro plastic change in your brain is your behavior

you're out here learning you're growing you're stretching your minds and it's a

very healthy things to do and it can positively change your brain but we can

also negatively change our brain by engaging in behaviors that are less

stimulating less healthy perhaps more sedentary and in those instances you're

changing your brain as well just not for the better so how does this work how

does no plastic change take place in our brains there's kind of three main

processes they all interact they all work together so when we're learning we

can rapidly change our brain chemistry this probably supports short-term memory

we can change the structure of our brain those wires that I talked about they can

elaborate themselves such that they can conduct quickly or more slowly and then

we can change how our brain regions function together and together those

processes take place and they enable us to learn and to change and it's one of

the most magnificent and exciting things in neuroscience is to understand the

extent of this change so for example if you had taken my neuropathology class at

UBC as little as six to seven years ago I would have told you that a white

matter structure in the brain called myelin never changes that the white

matter tracks in our brain are fixed and it turns out I was absolutely wrong and

as a scientist it's thrilling to be wrong it really is once you get over

yourself a moment but it's thrilling because it

means something new something really exciting something you unexpected has

been discovered so we now know that this idea this myelin these is the insulation

along those long wires in our brains that it changes with behavior it changes

with practice and something really exciting that we discovered in my lab is

that it changes during learning when learning is quite hard when you're

struggling with the new idea when you're barely hanging on that's when myelin is

optimally changing optimally elaborating its structure

it doesn't change us something's too hard it doesn't change if something's

too easy it changes when it's just right so I've

been telling you how incredibly plastic the brain is and how magnificent it is

and yet it really it lets me down some days because of this list so why can't

we learn anything we want I'm never gonna speak French I'm resolved I've

tried it's not gonna happen so why do our kids sometimes fail in school and

then why don't people fully recover after the brain is damaged so that is

what's limiting and facilitating plasticity and and this is where I

really began my career I started studying stroke in my lab started

studying and spent most of my career studying how damaged brains recover and

how we can help them learn and recover more interestingly and more recently I

become able to turn my attention to another idea another problem of

neuroplasticity and that is in the education system what are we doing to

children's brains and are their brains ready to do the things that we're asking

them to do at the right time this is a brand new field that we're trying to

lead the world in at UBC called educational neuroplasticity and it would

put to you that the public or that kind of our traditional education system is

the longest-running and worst controlled neuroscience experiment of all time so

we take children we give them all the same intervention and then we wonder why

some find it too easy and some absolutely fail and can't accomplish it

and then others are kind of bored but they get along and that's kind of what

we've done to date in education but now what we're able to do because we can

interact with the brain is we can start to think about how could we inform

educational interventions how could we tailor them to children's needs

and to children's development so that they're getting the right level of

difficulty they have optimal struggle during learning it's not too hard

because we're not changing their and it's not too easy but it's optimized

based on that individual child so those are some ideas that we're starting to

think about it UBC and we've been lucky enough to form a research cluster in

educational neuroscience and neuroplasticity and coming together to

form a brand new field it can talk about this so I'm a neuroscientist with lots

of Education but I don't know anything about education we have educators who

don't know very much about the brain and we have policy scientists who think

about how does this get translated into the dollars that we spend in our schools

and into budgets at the local and the provincial level so we're trying to all

come together and speak each other's language and think about how do we make

education better for everyone so a couple things about this that are going

to be real challenges before we get too excited is one big challenge is that all

of us when we change our brains we change it very uniquely very differently

so when you leave this room tonight all of you will have changed your brain but

darn it for us neuroscientist researchers you're all going to have

changed it differently somewhat differently very uniquely based upon

your own experience your own health and your own background and so our challenge

is to come up with personalized interventions personalized learning

interventions that are going to allow our children to really thrive to

optimize their change with education and really become the best most well

prepared adults they possibly can and I think that that's an effort that's

really worthy and it's one I look forward to working on for the next half

of my career so thank you very much