Educational Neuroscience of Programming: Cognitive and Neural Perspectives

Abstract

The integration of programming and coding into education and research has gained prominence. These skills are viewed as both core technical competencies and tools for enhancing cognitive development. This chapter reviews research from neuroscience, education, and cognitive psychology to examine the cognitive and neural processes involved in programming. The chapter examines how programming fosters critical skills like problem-solving, creative thinking, and critical analysis, alongside its demands on analytical intelligence and metacognitive abilities. It delves into the neural mechanisms involved, highlighting the activation of various brain regions responsible for working memory, language processing, and executive control. The chapter highlights neuroplastic changes in gray matter volume and neural efficiency, showcasing how the brain adapts to programming learning across ages. It also explores the cognitive effects of coding education, emphasizing its integration into curricula and its impact on cognitive development through an interdisciplinary research approach.