The Current Status of Brain-related Lessons and Their Relationship with Knowledge of Brain Plasticity

뇌관련 교육 현황과 뇌가소성 지식 간 관계

This study aimed to examine the current status of brain-related lessons and their relationship with knowledge about brain plasticity. A total of 955 pre-service teachers (349 for elementary school, and 606 for secondary school) answered survey questions about their experience taking a lesson involving brain knowledge. Among them, 514 (266 for elementary school, and 248 for secondary school) provided answers regarding their knowledge and beliefs regarding brain plasticity. The results showed that 30% had experienced having lessons about the brain. However, their knowledge of brain plasticity did not increase as a result of the brain lessons, except for one statement regarding learning and brain plasticity. Furthermore, beliefs about brain plasticity were positively related with perceived helpfulness and the importance of having knowledge about the brain for teaching. These results illustrate that current college education has little association with the knowledge about brain plasticity among pre-service teachers. Therefore, developing teacher training programs for enhancing belief and knowledge about brain plasticity is required.