Body and brain signalling during naturalistic learning situations

Abstract

A central challenge in supporting learning and designing learning environments is to understand individual differences in learning experiences. However, despite growing interest in examining learning experiences in naturalistic contexts, studies employing multimethod and hyperscanning approaches remain scarce. In this study, electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) were combined to measure brain activity, heart rate, and heart rate variability simultaneously during authentic learning situations in aviation and forestry. We investigated how students and instructors cardiac and brain activity varied across different phases of a naturalistic learning situation and tasks with varying levels of difficulty. Results indicate that both students and instructors heart rate, heart rate variability, and brain activity vary systematically across behaviourally and pedagogically meaningful phases of the learning situation. These findings enhance our understanding of how physiological and neural activity vary within and across individuals during learning, providing insight into the nervous system determinants underlying individual differences in learning experiences.