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Advancing Surgical Education pp 57–67Cite as

Cognitive Neuroscience and Design of Surgical Education

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Part of the book series: Innovation and Change in Professional Education ((ICPE,volume 17))

Overview

The surgical educator who understands human cognition is better able to design and implement educational activities. The cognitive neurosciences propose theories and models of learning which aid in this understanding. Information Processing Theory emphasises active thought processing whereby information is grouped and processed between the learner’s working and long-term memory. As this information is synthesised, it develops into schema which can be more efficiently manipulated by the mind. Cognitive Load Theory draws on this theory and proposes that schema best develop when a learning activity is tailored to the audience. Mastery Learning contends that expertise occurs in stages and that it is best for a learner to master their current sphere of learning before progressing to the next. Optimal tuition recognises the learner’s current sphere of learning and accelerates the attainment of mastery.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tauranga Hospital, Tauranga, New Zealand

    David Bartle

  2. Townsville Hospital, Douglas, Australia

    Andrew Evans

Authors
  1. David Bartle
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  2. Andrew Evans
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash Institute for Health and Clinical Education, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia, Faculty of Medicine Dentistry & Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

    Debra Nestel

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Kirsten Dalrymple

  3. Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    John T. Paige

  4. Department of Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, Jefferson Strategic Ventures, Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Rajesh Aggarwal

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© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Bartle, D., Evans, A. (2019). Cognitive Neuroscience and Design of Surgical Education. In: Nestel, D., Dalrymple, K., Paige, J., Aggarwal, R. (eds) Advancing Surgical Education. Innovation and Change in Professional Education, vol 17. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3128-2_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3128-2_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-3127-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-3128-2

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

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