NEUROPLASTICITY AND DIGITAL TOOLS IN LIFELONG LEARNING: COGNITIVE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2025vol2.8599Keywords:
adaptive learning, AI in education, digital learning tools, digital stress, gamification, lifelong learning, motivation, NeuroplasticityAbstract
Neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in lifelong learning (LLL), particularly in supporting cognitive adaptability and resilience in older adults. The integration of digital learning tools has introduced new opportunities for enhancing memory, attention, and cognitive flexibility. This study explores the impact of gamification, adaptive learning platforms, and AI-driven education on neuroplasticity, emphasizing their role in maintaining cognitive functions and fostering engagement. The research examines how digital learning environments, including language apps (e.g., Duolingo), MOOCs (e.g., Coursera, Khan Academy), and virtual simulations, contribute to cognitive stimulation. While these tools provide increased accessibility and engagement, challenges such as digital stress, motivation fluctuations, and information overload remain key concerns. The study further investigates how self-regulation strategies and structured learning environments can optimize digital education for older learners. By analyzing expert insights, case studies, and existing research, this study proposes recommendations for improving digital learning experiences tailored to cognitive aging. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on lifelong learning, offering strategies to support cognitive health and maximize the potential of digital education for an aging population.
References
Political declaration and Madrid international plan of action on ageing. Second World Asembly of Aging (2002). [Online]. Available: United Nations, https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/ageing/MIPAA/political-declaration-en.pdf. [Accessed: Oct. 21, 2024].
Around 240 million children with disabilities live in the world, according to UNICEF's most comprehensive statistical analysis (2021). Press release. [Online]. Available: UNICEF, https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/press-releases/copy-nearly-240-million-children-disabilities-around-world-unicefs-most. [Accessed: Feb. 26, 2022].
W. L. Nonglait, Disabilities and their Classification. Modern Technological Intervention Advancements for the Physically Challenged and Disabled Population. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-5275-7508-0. [Accessed: Nov. 08, 2021].
A. Rauduvaitė and B. Sun, The Concept of Learning to Learn in the Context of Music Education. SOCIETY. INTEGRATION. EDUCATION. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, 1, 2023, pp. 476-490. [Online]. Available: https://journals.rta.lv/index.php/SIE/article/view/7077. [Accessed: Jul. 03, 2023]. https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2023vol1.7077.
Lifelong learning. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, 2017. [Online]. Available: UNESCO, https://www.unesco.org/en/lifelong-learning/need-know. [Accessed: Feb. 13, 2025].
W. J. Ray, Fundamentals of Brain and Behavior: An Introduction to Human Neuroscience. Taylor & Francis, 2024.[Online]. Available: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003266426/fundamentals-brain-behavior-william-ray. [Accessed: Feb. 02, 2024]. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003266426.
R. K. Mishra, Cognitive Science: New Developments and Future Directions. Routledge India, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003316053/cognitive-science-ramesh-kumar-mishra. [Accessed: Dec. 05, 2022]. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003316053.
E. T. Rolls, Brain computations and connectivity. Oxford University Press 2023 [Online]. Available: https://academic.oup.com/book/46855. [Accessed: Aug. 24, 2023]. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198887911.001.0001.
C. R. Madan, Memories that matter: How we remember important things. Taylor & Francis. 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780429032028/memories-matter-christopher-madan. [Accessed: March 28, 2024]. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429032028.
M. Laal and A. Laal, Challenges for lifelong learning. Procedia-social and behavioral sciences, 47, 2012, pp.1539-1544.
G. Marzano, V. Lubkina and L. O. Siguencia, Key Issues in Adult Non Formal Participatory E-Learning. Society. Integration. Education. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, 4, 2016, pp.69-79. [Online]. Available: https://journals.ru.lv/index.php/SIE/article/view/1540. [Accessed: May. 26, 2016]. https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2016vol4.1540.
X. Alla, Lifelong Learning. Interdisciplinary Journal of Research and Development, 11(1), 27, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379231881_Lifelong_Learning. [Accessed: March 23, 2024]. https://doi.org/10.56345/ijrdv11n105.
M. Laal and P. Salamati, Lifelong learning; why do we need it?. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 31, 2012, pp. 399-403.
M. Romero, Work, games and lifelong learning in the 21st century. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 174, 2015, pp.115-121.
Unesco. International standard classification of education (ISCED) 2011. 2012. UNESCO.
G. Marzano and L. Ochoa-Siguencia. (2017). Challenges of Web-Based Participatory Learning. Society. Integration. Education. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, 2, 2017, pp. 458-467. [Online]. Available: https://journals.rta.lv/index.php/SIE/article/view/2395. [Accessed: May. 26, 2017]. https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2017vol2.2395.
L. Ochoa Siguencia, Z. Gródek-Szostak, A. Niemczyk, A. Szeląg-Sikora, and E. Pagan Castano, Lifelong Learning for Talent Management and Professional Development of Employees. ETR, vol. 2, 2023, pp. 189–192. [Online]. Available: https://journals.rta.lv/index.php/ETR/article/view/7232. [Accessed: Jun. 13, 2023]. https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2023vol2.7232.
A. Korol, I. Konovalchuk, O. Kolosova, N. Tarnavska, and A. Khilya. (2023). Organization of Distance Learning in the Ukrainian Practice of Inclusive Education. ETR, vol. 2, pp. 156–161. [Online]. Available: https://journals.rta.lv/index.php/ETR/article/view/7243. [Accessed: Jun. 13, 2023]. https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2023vol2.7243.
A. Khilya, Basic Principles of Using Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies in the Process of Teacher Training in Ukraine. ETR, vol. 2, 2023, pp. 141–144. [Online]. Available: https://journals.rta.lv/index.php/ETR/article/view/7268. [Accessed: Jun. 13, 2023]. https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2023vol2.7268.
O. Vindaca, A. Abolina, and L. Danilane. Transforming Higher Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence Chat Tools: Case Study. ETR, vol. 2, 2024, pp. 310–316. [Online]. Available: https://journals.rta.lv/index.php/ETR/article/view/8014. [Accessed: Jun. 22, 2024]. https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2024vol2.8014.
J. C. Basso, M. K. Satyal and R. Rugh, Dance on the brain: enhancing intra-and inter-brain synchrony. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 14, 2021, 584312. [Online]. Available: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2020.584312/full. [Accessed: Jan. 07, 2021]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2020.584312.
A. Zorins and P. Grabusts, Artificial Neural Networks and Human Brain: Survey of Improvement Possibilities of Learning. ETR, vol. 3,2015, pp. 228–231. [Online]. Available: https://journals.ru.lv/index.php/ETR/article/view/165. [Accessed: Jun. 16, 2015]. https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2015vol3.165.
I. Gehtmane-Hofmane. (2022). Motivational Components of Adult Learning Within the Informal Educational Settings. Society. Integration. Education. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, 1, 2022, pp. 744-752. [Online]. Available: https://journals.rta.lv/index.php/SIE/article/view/6857. [Accessed: May. 19, 2022]. https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2022vol1.6857.
A. Khilya, Value of Innovation in Lifelong Learning: Pedagogical and Social Context. Society. Integration. Education. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, 2, 2024, pp. 178-187. [Online]. Available: https://journals.rta.lv/index.php/SIE/article/view/7809. [Accessed: May. 22, 2024]. https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2024vol2.7809.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Olha Palamarchuk, Iryna Haba, Halyna Shulha, Anna Khilya, Iryna Sarancha

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.