We have been taught to accept that humans are not using their brains to their full potential. Popular culture reinforces this myth by portraying the idea that the use of certain drugs can help one tap into their full potential (Limitless, 2011) or that aliens can fill our brains with star charts to expand our usage beyond our inferior 10% (Flight of the Navigator, 1986). This myth appears in Seinfeld episodes, The Simpsons, and as the premise to countless movies. We can find apps to help us “build our brain power” and expand our thinking skills.

Read the following two articles to understand how this neuromyth gained acclaim in the field of education:

We Only Use 10% of our Brains

Do People Only Use 10% of their Brains?

The implications for learning is that we know that everyone can learn. We know that different portions of our brain are active during different tasks, and that there are varying levels of activity in our brain throughout each moment of each day and night. No part of the brain is laying dormant, and unfortunately, we are unlikely to stumble upon the hidden superpowers of our learners.