Biometrics and Self-Regulated Learning

Last week, I eased into my discussion on emerging technologies with a post on 3D printing. Are you ready to reach even further toward the future this week? Before starting, I recommend giving my very first post a quick read—it sets the stage for all of my entries, including this one.

Let’s Talk about Biometrics

There is a growing trend among consumer-level devices to collect the massive amounts of data our bodies generate every day, including the number of steps we take; the amount of REM sleep we get each night; and changes in our heart rates when we exercise, work at our desks, or have a stressful vs. enjoy­­able conversation—the list goes on. One of the most popular biometric devices is the Nike FuelBand, a bracelet with a built-in accelerometer that tracks your movement throughout the day.

Why would we want to track all of this bodily information? It comes down to the following axiom: knowledge is power. With the FuelBand, you can set a fitness goal each day online. The band then tracks your activity, not just while you’re exercising, but while you live your life. It takes into account ALL of your movements throughout the day. If you decide to forgo the elevator in favor of the stairs, FuelBand will tell you how much closer you just got to your goal. The idea is that this information will keep wearers motivated by rewarding them for being active with a quantifiable sense of achievement.

And I must add, in a time in which technology has given way to a whole new subculture of lifelogging—when self-fascination is being propagated one #selfie at a time—biometric devices simply add fuel to the fire (no pun intended).

I’ve even taken part in this trend. I’ve spent the past six months experimenting with a type of­­­ biometric device: consumer-level electroencephalography (EEG) headsets. EEG has been used for decades in medicine and research as a safe way to measure electrical activity generated by the brain, and now it is available for under $200 per headset. It’s a beautiful experience, to see your brainwaves projected on screen. Thus far, in addition to the “raw data” of our brainwaves, the device can provide you with measures of your overall focus and meditation levels.

Considerations: Wellness and Self-Regulation

Before we talk about consumer-level EEG in the workplace, I’d like to put a few ideas out there that suggest just how potentially powerful these tools may turn out to be. The first is the growing trend to promote wellness in the workplace. For example, there is an increasing amount of research and corporate attention (read: dollars) spent on the concept of strategic renewal, which is the idea that healthy practices such as ample sleep and meditation can boost productivity and effectiveness at work. As work pressures continue to mount and change seems to accelerate, strategic renewal promises to make corporate athletes of us all.

The second idea is that of self-awareness and self-regulation. These practices are core to a popular theory of emotional intelligence, which many believe is critical for effective leadership. Self-regulated learning has also been found to improve learning outcomes, namely the motivation and capability to set your own learning goals, take the steps necessary to achieve them, and seek out help as needed along the way. While definitions of self-regulation are varied (and I admit I’m conflating them a bit here), practice of each requires some level of self-awareness, and the ability to take action based on this self-awareness.

So, let’s return to consumer-level EEG devices. These devices are central in the growing trend of brain health, in which they are paired with visualization apps and games that help you “train your brain” to achieve sustained levels of focus and meditation. Healthier brains—and encouragement of meditation—may one day fit nicely into corporate strategic renewal offerings.

But what I think is more interesting for our field is the potential these devices hold to assist us in understanding and applying self-regulation practices. EEG may enable us to visualize something abstract and internal, namely our mental state. It also gives us real-time feedback on our attempts to self-regulate. And with this knowledge comes power.

I can’t go any further without mentioning that accessing brainwave data in the workplace raises some red flags: issues of privacy, evaluation, and even the potential for mind control. While EEG devices cannot come close to reading thoughts, let alone mind control, it is a natural reaction to feel some concern. Certainly, not everyone will be comfortable with this emerging consumer technology. It is extremely important to note that if you’re considering EEG in the workplace, to lock down data privacy, clearly communicate with employees, make participation voluntary, and ensure that you comply with corporate policy.

That said, as I’ve spoken about EEG with many people ranging from entrepreneurs to leaders in finance, the overwhelming response is excitement. For those already working in cutting-edge technology companies, as well as those comfortable exploring the leading edge, I don’t believe EEG in the workplace is far away.

Getting Started

So, if you are looking for a simple way to get started with this technology, you can just buy a few headsets. I currently use ones made by Neurosky; there’s also a new headset by InteraXon called Muse that will be released in the coming months. There are several apps that come with them, and some that are available through an app store. Apps can be downloaded to personal mobile phones and tablets so that employees can test and play while keeping their data as their own.

Finally, I have a number of ideas for how to design impactful learning experiences that leverage EEG technology, but I’m more curious to hear what you think. So let me know, and see you next week!