Neurodidáctica: Unión De la Práctica Docente y la Neurociencia

Neuroscience is the path for teachers to understand the biological functioning of the brain so that students can internalize content. Human beings assimilate knowledge through constructs based on Neurodidactics, a pedagogical discipline focused on designing active strategies and methodologies to make the teaching and learning process more effective. Class proposals should awaken students’ intrinsic motivation, helping them discover new topics and the value these bring to their lives. The physiological aspects—such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep—are emphasized, especially the third phase of sleep, which is crucial for memory processes. Therefore, balance is recommended. Physical activity is also essential for ecological development and its connection to emotional well-being. Gamification in the classroom is important because the human brain enjoys challenges and practice, especially when these are linked to appropriate stimuli and environments, such as proper climate control and technology-enhanced spaces. Neuroscience and education have great potential to transform learning through a deep understanding of cognitive, emotional, and social processes that influence knowledge acquisition. By integrating these aspects, a world of possibilities opens up to make learning more meaningful. One of the main contributions of neuroscience to education is neuroplasticity, which refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt to new experiences. Neuroscience has provided insights into how memories are formed and consolidated by working with brain structures such as the hippocampus, and has helped classify memory types into sensory, short-term, and long-term. It has also revealed the importance of the limbic system and emotions, which play a fundamental role by affecting brain activity and, consequently, learning capacity. This can help promote positive learning environments and reduce stress. Executive functions are known as the "orchestra conductor" because they influence human behavior and support organization, cognitive flexibility, and decision-making—key elements for improving students’ academic performance. A common question among educators is: How can executive functions be stimulated? Neuroscience joins with artificial intelligence to offer digital applications such as Cognifit, Lumosity, and NeuroUp, enabling learners of all ages to practice for at least 10 minutes a day. This helps strengthen neural connections. The objective of this research is to share the contributions of neuroscience to education through neurodidactics and gamification. The methodology used is descriptive and bibliographic. A survey was conducted across different populations, asking whether digital applications for cognitive stimulation have helped improve their academic performance. Results show that 90% of participants agree with this statement. The classroom is a field where the main tool is executive functioning.