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Mary Ulicsak, Futurelab

The full version of this paper is available to download in pdf format - see box below. On this page you'll find the first part of the paper.

Abstract

There is evidence that athletes, musicians, dancers and those suffering with behavioural problems like attention deficit disorder amongst others are benefiting from neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is the presentation in real time of information about the state of the brain received via electrodes placed on the scalp. Such systems allow the wearer to practise generating the state of mind most beneficial to their sport, art or desired behaviour. Although there are issues about the reliability, the need for personalisation and time required to be beneficial, this technology is becoming more widespread. In this article we look at some of this research and existing systems, their uses, some of the concerns, and the potential this has for education.

Introduction

In order to consider the potential of neurofeedback in education we need to understand what it is (and is not), what already exists and the type of feedback that can be offered, and the limitations of such systems.

So what is neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback. Biofeedback is simply measuring a quantifiable bodily function, for example, blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, sweat gland activity, muscle tension etc, and conveying this information back in real time. This information could be visual, audio, haptic (touch) or a combination of these, and focus on specific regions or types of brain activity.

Such systems can be used as a variation of ‘operant conditioning’, ie rewarding desirable behaviour and discouraging undesirable behaviour. The idea is that through seeing such representations the person will be able to practise changing this function, first viewing the feedback and then without such representations, and finally being able to summon up such states without the system.

As the name suggests, neurofeedback displays the brain state of the person. This usually involves monitoring the person’s brainwaves. Brainwaves are the results of neurons firing at different intensities and rates in different areas of the brain. The pattern of firing, intensity and location relate to the kind of activity being performed. Brainwaves are described by their: i) amplitude, the index of strength or intensity shown by height; and ii) the cycles per second measured in Hertz (Hz).

Four of the common brainwaves are beta, alpha, theta and delta. When you are deeply engaged in an activity the amplitude of the majority of your brainwaves is small, yet they occur rapidly, 12-30Hz per second. These are beta waves. As you become more relaxed the amplitude increases but the amount decreases – these are alpha waves. As you drift off to sleep the dominant amplitude increases again and the rate drops to 4-8Hz, these are delta waves. And when finally you fall asleep the amplitude of the majority of waves is higher still, but the rate reduces to 0-4Hz.