Biofeedback Learning Environments

Real-Time Feedback

Biofeedback equipment is built to provide real-time augmented extrinsic information. In essence, the governing principle of these technological devices pertains to initially measuring a variable of interest (e.g., heart rate), and subsequently offering information to the user. Information provided to the user can be either (1) direct feedback by showing numerical values in regard to one’s heart rate or cerebral alpha band, for instance, or (2) transformed feedback in the form of a sensorial stimuli such as a sound, visual image, or tactile stimuli. Noteworthy, biofeedback applications used to establish dynamic learning experiences offer real-time information. This is essential to capture and sustain the students’ attention, while maintaining a continuous interaction with the biofeedback application in use. Multisensorial stimulus is another important principle of a BLE.

Multimedia Channels

Multimedia applications are thought to enhance student learning and engagement. Data from the U.S. Department of Defense suggest that people remember approximately 20% of what they hear, 40% of what they hear and see, and 75% of what they hear, see, and do. Accordingly, BLEs are designed to adopt multimedia information to simultaneously engage and develop students’ various sensorial channels. Multimedia channels common to BLEs also allow instructors to personalize instruction by embracing different types of learners (e.g., visual, auditory, kinesthetic) and allowing students to manage their own multimedia experience. Finally, multimedia information is common to both traditional and new biofeedback modalities.

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