Cognitive Ability
Cognitive Ability – Non-Academic
Effective cognitive training is non-academic
At the cognitive level, the brain doesn’t distinguish between academic and non-academic tasks, but academic learning relies on and is limited by cognitive function. Academic work means the learning of content-dependent subjects like math, social studies, and science. Such traditional schoolwork requires a mix of sensory and cognitive skills, coupled with memorization, logic, and reasoning. A student becomes frustrated, not challenged, when asked to engage underlying cognitive skills he simply doesn’t have.
Brain training is non-academic for two reasons:
First, academic style might turn the student off to the procedures since he has usually experienced a good deal of frustration and failure with academic work. Designing cognitive training procedures that appear like schoolwork would be a formula for failure.
Second, the non-academic nature of the procedures also means the brain training is more like mental games that are fun to play. The likelihood of the student’s involvement and success increases dramatically.
A side benefit of the non-academic training style is obvious for the parents who may have spent frustrating hours at the kitchen table with their child unsuccessfully attempting to complete schoolwork. Cognitive training homework (required by the program) will be fun for parents too, especially when added to the experience of observing and participating in their child’s growth and development.
Application: LearningRx training is built around non-academic procedures. It’s fun and effective. It also avoids the trap of training to a particular subject, grade level, or test. Non-academic cognitive training easily transfers its strength and speed gains to any and all academic subjects the student will face.
Cognitive Ability – Will Power
Will power affects brain training
Changing a person’s way of thinking can also alter the structure of the brain. Research by Jeffrey Schwartz at the UCLA School of Medicine2 found that a person who forcibly changes his behavior could require neurons to be used for more positive functions. This illustrates the importance of choice and self-discipline in overcoming problems with learning.
A student who is not motivated to change, who is satisfied with the status quo no matter how miserable it may be, will not reap the benefits of cognitive training.
Application: LearningRx training procedures are designed to be fun and rewarding. Not every student comes into the program with a high level of enthusiasm, but the “mental game” nature of the procedures and the quick and rewarding successes give every student the best chance to enjoy the training. The entire process is designed to help a child build up the will to succeed.
Cognitive Tutor - Return to Topic List
Excerpts of the book Unlock the Enstein Inside by Dr. Ken Gibson
2 Ratey, MD, J. A User’s Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain. Pantheon Books. 2001.
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