An exploratory study of brain computer interfacesin computer science education

Abstract

This work offers an outline of how brain computer interactions can interconnect with education, specifically with regard to the cognitive and emotional processes occurring during difficult learning. We believe that understanding how to optimize the learner’s attention and workload in learning tasks can improve the efficacy of educational processes, especially in tasks involving highly cognitive activities, such as programming problem solving. The main objective of this study was to examine several brain parameters (attention, concentration and the energy of several brain waves) in a programming orientated task, as well as their variability during tasks of varying complexity. We consider that this work presents very promising future developments, including the possibility of incorporating this technology into a customised automatic system adapted to the student’s cognitive and emotional state.