Page 117 - Microsoft Word - The Future of Learning April 2017.docx

Back to our example: (Stage 4: CONCEPT FRAMEWORKS)
Having created the concept of the geography of Spain and the local region our roving educator is confident that the weather in this region is almost always fine in summer and he now merge that concept with the previous concepts he has created. Drawing on his recent observations he realises that his interest in food and wine could be expanded on, and he decides to visit several villages while he is there. He enjoys cooking and realises that he could do a short cooking course while he is there as well as visit some small, local restaurants that come highly recommended by other travellers. Reflecting on these opportunities, he thinks it may be possible to import some authentic local food, wine and cooking equipment and sell these online, back home as a small business. Suddenly the trip is looking like an investment opportunity as well as a holiday. A totally new concept framework has emerged from his capacity to take knowledge and form ideas, and subsequently develop those ideas into concepts and integrate a range of additional concepts to form a totally new concept framework.
The role of brainwaves in controlling brain–body activity has been demonstrated vividly in a series of experiments over the last decade. Research teams have had volunteers wear non-invasive caps that pick-up brainwaves associated with individual actions, such as clenching a fist. Researchers have been experimenting with coding these brainwave profiles and linking that profiles to specific actions. This capability has enabled paraplegics and quadriplegics to operate robotic limbs using only their thoughts (brainwaves), but it also can be used to control the movement of a model helicopter just by thinking about it turning one way or the other.145
The theoretical role of brainwaves being proactively produced by neural-astrocytic activity to map ideas and concepts is gaining momentum. Astrocytes, in combination with neurons, may create specific brainwave frequencies to activate certain actions.146 The role of astrocytes in the Learning Process is probably far greater than we presently appreciate and we look forward to further research results as they become available.
Stephen Hawking is more aware than most people that we are mostly a passionate and non- rational species ... but we would not have that any other way. We can all be fascinating, lazy, curious, loving, thoughtless, courageous, innovative and ingenious ... all in one day, but each of these aspects of humanity require us to be able to learn; very efficiently and across every aspect of our lives; not just our school days!
What makes human beings unique? There are many theories. Some say it is language or
tools, others say it is logical reasoning. They obviously haven’t met many humans.147
Stephen Hawking
145 He, Bi. Javed3idiots. (2013, June 5). Mind controlled robot helicopter. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOlFW0hIbng 146 Scientific American (Aug 11 2014) Brainwaves' Propagation May Hinge on Glial Cells. Retrieved from
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/talking-back/brainwaves-propagation-may-hinge-on-glial-cells/
147 Knapton, S. (2016, 12 April). Professor Stephen Hawking announces mission to Alpha Centauri. The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/04/12/professor-stephen-hawking-to-announce-mystery-space-mission/
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