An Analysis of Connections between Internal and External Learning Process Indicators Using Eeg Coherence Duration

This article advocates using EEG coherence of specific brain areas as an internal indicator of mental effort [10] during learning processes in human brain. Preliminary results show that coherence between functionally coupled brain areas reflect partial processes in course of training – which are not reflected when we consider only reaction times. Analysis of coherence in β1and θ-frequency bands shows different aspects of information processes due to unequal characteristics. Reaction time and error rate show further differences. Relation of external properties of learning indicators to internal parameters are discussed. Training-related, significant reaction time and θ coherence reductions were found, as well as locally increasing β1 coherence at session 4 and locally strongly decreasing error rates at following session 5. Based on different and common features of external and internal learning process indicators it is possible to reveal functional relations between the process of cognitive training and accompanying changes of the functional coupling between cortical subsystems underlying task performance.