Multi-Brain Scanning in Video Education: Exploring Neural Synchronization and Learning Outcomes

There have been various exploratory studies on multi-brain scanning using video education, although the number of such studies is limited. Researchers often rely on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology, which has an exceptionally high spatial resolution, to precisely locate brain activity. Video education is well-suited for multi-brain research, as experimental information can be presented through a screen in an fMRI machine. The correlation between neural representations in the default mode network (DMN) and hippocampus regions, which are involved in memory storage and repair, can accurately predict students' final exam results when average college students and experts watch instructional videos (Meshulam et al., 2021). fMRI has also been used to investigate the neural bases of how complex information is communicated between teachers and students. Nguyen et al. (2022) recorded the brain activity of instructors as they conducted lessons and reviews, and students were then asked to watch either the complete version or a logically confusing instructional video. Extensive neuronal coupling between teachers and students in the language and sensory cortex was observed, and DMN neural coupling was only visible after watching the entire instructional video. In instructional videos on the manipulating skills of origami, the stronger the student's neural synchrony with the teacher in the ventral premotor cortex, the more successful they were in recreating origami later (Kostorz et al., 2020). Kostorz et al. (2022) further discovered robust synchronous engagement of the action observation execution network during video observational learning, indicating common cognitive processing independent of sensory input. However, fMRI has some limitations, including its bulky instrument size, the need for a closed experimental environment, and expensive instrument usage. As a result, multi-brain scanning studies are typically conducted with smaller subject sizes, have a more restricted study ecology, and are usually conducted using an asynchronous sequential scan format.