The Possible Uses of Biofeedback in Education

Abstract

The concepts underlying biofeedback learning and research are reviewed in relation to their application in education. The basic steps in biofeedback learning are pointed out and consist of: monitoring, self-awareness, control with the feedback equipment, and control without the feedback equipment In addition, the implications of biofeedback control are reviewed. These include: self-control over the learning process; the concepts of passive attention, nonverbal learning, mind/body synchrony; transfer of learning; and the effect of belief structures. Drawn from these concept, the paper suggests biofeedback applications for use in educational settings such as the use for teaching science lessons, voluntary control over low arousal and creativity, enhancement of artistic expression, learning of self-awareness and control over internal states, awareness of misplaced efforts, enhancement of visual attention, decreasing subjective striving components, and the use for teaching relaxation and unstressing.