The Impact of Cognitive Training on Academic Performance: A Research Review
Cognitive training is a practice that has gained increasing popularity over the past few years. The concept involves engaging in mental exercises and activities that aim to improve cognitive skills such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and decision-making. The fundamental goal of cognitive training is to enhance academic performance among students, both school-going and university-level. This article examines the impact of cognitive training on academic performance, including how it works, its benefits and limitations, and examines key research findings.
What is Cognitive Training?
Cognitive training is a process that involves repeated exposure to mental exercises that aim to improve cognitive skills. The exercises are designed to train specific cognitive abilities by challenging them with demanding tasks. Generally, people who engage in cognitive training are asked to complete tasks that involve reasoning, attention, and/or memory. Examples of cognitive training activities include solving puzzles, playing memory games, and practicing mindfulness.
Benefits of Cognitive Training on Academic Performance
The benefits of cognitive training on academic performance are well-documented. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology examined the relationship between cognitive training and academic performance among college students. The study involved more than 1000 students who were randomly assigned to either a cognitive training program or a control group. The results showed that students in the cognitive training program performed significantly better in academic tasks than the control group. The researchers concluded that cognitive training can improve academic performance, particularly in domains such as cognitive flexibility and cognitive inhibition.
Another study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry examined the effects of cognitive training on academic performance among school-going children. The study involved 122 children, some of whom were assigned to a cognitive training program, while others were assigned to a control group. The results showed that children who had undergone cognitive training performed significantly better in mathematics and language tasks than children in the control group.
Limitations of Cognitive Training on Academic Performance
Despite its benefits, cognitive training has its limitations. For instance, a 2019 meta-analysis published in the journal Psychology and Aging found that cognitive training programs may not be as effective as claimed. The meta-analysis, which examined more than 200 studies on cognitive training, revealed that while cognitive training improved performance on the trained task, it did not generalize to other tasks or real-life situations.
Another limitation of cognitive training is that it is time-consuming, meaning that students may have to juggle it with other academic commitments. In addition, some cognitive training programs may be costly, which may limit access for some students.
Conclusion
Cognitive training is a promising intervention aimed at improving academic performance among students. Research shows that it can be effective in enhancing specific cognitive skills, which can translate into improved academic outcomes. However, cognitive training has its limitations, and there is a need for more research to determine its effectiveness in real-life situations. Overall, cognitive training could be a valuable tool for students looking to boost their academic performance.
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