Watching the brain do math

Watching the brain do math

Brain activity patterns reveal distinct stages of thinking that can be used to improve how students learn mathematical concepts

A new neuroimaging study reveals the mental stages people go through as they are solving challenging math problems. Insights from this new work may eventually be applied to the design of more effective classroom instruction - particularly in the form of improving cognitive tutors by creating models that match the brain activation and thinking patterns used to solve these problems, say investigators.