PERSPECTIVE article
Front. Hum. Neurosci.
Sec. Brain-Computer Interfaces
From Neurotechnology to the Classroom: The Promise of Brain–Computer Interfaces for Training Systems Engineers
Provisionally accepted
- Universidad Agraria del Ecuador, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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This perspective article explores the transformative potential of brain–Computer Interfaces (BCI) in undergraduate systems engineering programs, a domain characterized by high attrition and a widening gap between rapid technological innovation and slower pedagogical change. I argue that BCI, by enabling real-time detection of cognitive states such as mental workload, attention, and frustration, can evolve from laboratory tools to central pedagogical instruments for adaptive, student-centered education. I review the state-of-the-art methods, which demonstrate the technical feasibility of low-cost electroencephalography (EEG) devices and machine learning algorithms that classify cognitive states with high accuracy in controlled settings (Ahn et al., 2023; Zhao et al., 2022). Building on this evidence, I outline concrete applications in three dimensions: formative assessment, dynamic curricular adaptation, and cognitive inclusion, with a specific emphasis on preventing dropout in foundational courses such as algorithms. I also examine ethical, technical, and pedagogical challenges, and propose a scalable, ethically grounded pilot model tailored for universities, particularly in Latin America. This study reports no empirical results. It synthesizes the existing evidence and proposes a roadmap for research and educational action.
Keywords: brain–computer interfaces, Neuroeducation, Systems Engineering, Adaptive Learning, Ethical AI
Received: 29 Oct 2025; Accepted: 27 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Nieves Méndez. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Christian Leonardo Nieves Méndez
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