Educational neuroscience: a visualisation tool for improving educators’ understanding of functional relationships and brain networks in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

• Main Author: Lok, Lisbeth Hui Qi
• Other Authors: Annabel Chen Shen-Hsing
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2023
• Subjects: Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/168453
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Many studies have discussed the challenges and needs of Educational Neuroscience in the areas of accurate translation of neuroscience, applicability of research, and improved collaboration between fields. While efforts are in place to address these needs, there is still room for more accessible and sustainable efforts for translation. This study evaluates the usefulness of a visualisation tool in presenting neuroscience findings to educators working with adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 30 participants (individuals working with adults with ASD in an educational or workplace setting) evaluated the tool against the original neuroscience manuscript through quantitative scales and qualitative open-ended questions. The visualisation tool led to a statistically significant improvement in self-reported usefulness compared to the manuscript. Open-ended responses revealed that some educators felt that information in the tool could be further simplified and that practical suggestions to teachings could be discussed, while some educators were satisfied with the information presented in the tool for their use. Findings explain what educators look for in neuroscience and highlight that key aspects of effective translation are concise and summarised information, simplified language, and interactive graphics. They suggest the viability of the visualisation tool as a framework to present neuroscience findings in a consistent and accurate way. Implications for future visualisation techniques to make neuroscience more accessible to educators through translation are discussed. Keywords: educational neuroscience, visualisation tool, translation, autism spectrum disorder, neuroscience in education