Monitoring Brain Activity of Geriatric Learners With Low‐Cost Neurophysiological Technology

Abstract

Cultural stereotypes rooted in both antiquated data and misinterpretation of data have long perpetuated the belief that older adults are unable to learn new concepts because they are doomed to lose brain cells at an alarming rate during their geriatric years. However, advances in neurophysiological technologies that allow researchers to observe the functional structures of the brain, as opposed to the individual's observable behavior, provide new insights about geriatric learners' brain processes during learning. This article aims to explore the opportunities offered and challenges posed by using low‐cost electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor the brain activity of geriatric learners during learning activities. The article defines geriatric learners; discusses instructional theories and strategies for geriatric learners; and examines the potential contributions of using low‐cost EEGs to monitor the brain of geriatric learners during the learning process.