Biofeedback as a cognitive research technique for enhancing learning process

The new technologies of measuring the biological indicators and the progress of neuron-communications help to better connect the emotional, intellectual and physiological parameters of the body and brain activity. The emerging research techniques include the biofeedback which enables to define audience’s attention, students’ engagement, and offers a more thorough understanding of the learning process. The paper presents the results of the experiments related to the assessment of distance and classroom learning and to the measurement of the consequences for the perceptive, cognitive and volition features of students after both types of work – with physical participation of a teacher and with autonomous studying material through computer. The CMS (Current Mental State) technique in the form of a hardware-software biofeedback complex was used to obtain an unbiased evaluation of the students’ emotional and mental state and well-being. The result of this quantitative research was a set of parameters displaying the current mental state of the participants and showing the students’ reaction to the learning material and environment. The practical significance of the CMS study is to deepen the understanding of the perceptive and cognitive processes through the different forms of educational activity.