Explore Your Brain: unique neurofeedback tool helps adolescents cultivate a ‘growth mindset’

What is the way for adolescents to find confidence in their own ability to learn? In a time of declining motivation and mental well-being, researchers Nienke van Atteveldt and Tieme Janssen, from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, have been successfully piloting a unique innovation that helps adolescents become aware of their brain’s potential to adapt. Under the name of Explore Your Brain, they teach young people about the brain’s malleability, in combination with an exciting tool that provides an impressive experience of their own influence on the brain!

Adolescence is a critical period for cultivating motivation that contributes to success and long-term well-being. However, the transition from primary to secondary education often leads to a sharp decline in school motivation, resulting in lower academic achievements and increased burnout symptoms. The new neurofeedback tool Explore Your Brain is showing promising results to counter this negative trend.

From a ‘fixed mindset’ to ‘growth mindset’

Explore Your Brain is not only a tool, but also a concise lesson plan that blends theoretical knowledge about brain plasticity with a hands-on experience of influencing one’s own brain. VU researchers Nienke van Atteveldt and Tieme Janssen are advancing this innovation to help adolescents cultivate a ‘growth mindset’—the belief that abilities can be developed, fostering the attitude: “I’m not getting it just yet.” In contrast, those with a fixed mindset—thinking “I’ll never get it”—limit their potential.

“Adolescents with a growth mindset are better protected against declines in motivation and achievement, making them more resilient learners. Additionally, a growth mindset positively impacts mental well-being beyond the school setting; fostering a growth mindset is therefore a promising strategy to safeguard adolescents against declining motivation whilst enhancing their overall resilience. Which is more important than ever in the current complex society!”

Nienke van Atteveldt, professor in Mind Brain and Education

‘Experiencing’ your own brain: how the neurofeedback tool works

The key innovation of Explore Your Brain is its ability to make the intervention personally relevant. Nienke van Atteveldt and Tieme Janssen achieved this by using a state-of-the-art neurofeedback headband (electroencephalography or EEG) that adolescents wear. In three co-created games, participants see their brain activity in real time, experiencing firsthand their ability to influence it and, in turn, their learning processes. The software was uniquely designed for this purpose.

Further development: scaling up

The results of the educational neurofeedback tool are very promising, but the technology is not yet ready for large scale implementation. Tieme Janssen is currently taking part in the Impact Program by IXA, developing a business plan for financially and logistically feasible large-scale implementation of the innovation. IXA was also closely involved in securing an ERC Proof of Concept grant for further technological and business development of Explore Your Brain; which is a different type of grant than those for research funding.

“We aim to implement Explore Your Brain on a large scale, both nationally and internationally, to protect as many adolescents as possible from declines in school motivation and achievement. This initiative will benefit society by fostering higher educational attainment and better mental well-being in the next generation.”

Tieme Janssen, assistant professor in Clinical Developmental Psychology

Read more

Published paper about Explore your Brain: https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjep.12572

Blog by Nienke van Atteveldt and Tieme Janssen:

https://bold.expert/what-happens-when-students-experience-the-power-of-their-brains/

About the researchers

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nienke-Atteveldt

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tieme-Janssen

And, https://laboflearning.com/