Prevalence of neuromyths in students of physical education pedagogy of Chile

Abstract

Introduction: The lack of a common language between neuroscience and education has generated erroneous interpretations about the functioning of the nervous system, giving rise to neuromyths. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of neuromyths and the general knowledge of neuroscience of students of Physical Education Pedagogy from various Universities of Chile. Methodology: The sample was constituted by 440 students of Physical Education of five universities of Chile, to whom the Spanish version of the Questionnaire of prevalence of neuromyths developed by Dekker et al was applied. Results: The most widespread neuromyths in this sample are VAK learning styles and the positive effects of enriched environments in preschool age and coordination exercises to achieve hemispheric integration, both with a prevalence of more than 90%. In general terms, there is no difference in the prevalence of neuromyths according to sex, course of study and regular reading of scientific texts. Conclusion: Physical education students from Chile present beliefs in various neuromyths similar to those reported in students and teachers of other pedagogies from other countries.