The conscious mind and the brain were assumed to be separate entities. The intangible mind was lent to the ideals within theology. It was assumed that the conscious mind could not be measured (Descartes, 1641). This is an interesting thought because there were many mental differences or maladies at that time that were considered to be under the influence of insidious entities. Still, to this day, there are some tribal nations that consider those with symptoms of autism and other mental disorders to be under demonic influences. Those ideas also provide a basis for religion which would indicate that even after the body dies, the mind, or soul, lives on after that- the mind does not also die with the body.

The brain changes in response to stimuli and learning. It can reprogram itself in response to these stimuli which results in reorganization of the brain. Researchers in the past believed the brain had two distinct parts, and have since developed theories that posit that the physical brain itself can be reorganized, building new neural connections based on thinking activities. One of the most important points from the reading focuses on the readjustments the brain makes based on either physical or mental activity. This calls into question the changes the brain has undergone in this new age of technology and information processing.

The brain is malleable and can be reshaped and reorganized based on activities that we participate in. This means that the brains of learners who have no experience in self-regulated learning skills can be reshaped by participating in activities that encourage this. In terms of pedagogical agents, learners who rely on these smart tutors (homeschoolers, learners who need remediation or supplementation without a face-to-face instructor) can benefit from consistent interaction with them.

Although the use of the internet can cause reorganization in the brain, I believe that this is not necessarily a negative thing. As we learn how to process information in different ways, it also means that we have different options in terms of which subject we want to expand upon. The internet provides a plethora of options and knowledge to discover, and while we may not be able to become experts in every subject, we do have many more options to choose from than we had in the past. The trick is to not be satisfied with knowing only basics about everything but to choose one to go deeper into.

According to Young (1951), “There is evidence that the cells of our brains literally develop and grow bigger with use, and atrophy or waste away with disuse” (p.36). This indicates the importance of considering how and how often we choose to exercise our minds.

As living organisms, it is our way to evolve in order to adapt to our surroundings. We can conclude that as long as there are no catastrophic events which return us to use of cave markings and smoke signals as primary forms of communication, technological advances will continue. In order to get the most of these tools, our brains will undoubtedly continue to evolve in ways we could never expect.

Carr (2010) surmises:

"As the same experience is repeated, the synaptic links between the neurons grow stronger and more plentiful through both physiological changes, such as the release of higher concentrations of neurotransmitters and anatomical ones, such as the generation of new neurons or the growth of new synaptic terminals on existing axons and dendrites" (p.27).

This is reminiscent of strategies we use in instructional design when we create environments that allow learners to practice skills to promote knowledge acquisition. Repetition can be done in a variety ways. As designers, we can incorporate repetition beyond the drill, even within scaffolding.

Change and evolution of the information processes we use may initially seem like a bad thing. We will not be able to fully appreciate those changes until we travel the path for a time and are able to look back at the milestones we have crossed.

When tools other than the brain are used to help process information, society has a general fear of handing over the reigns. That fear of change is echoed by McLuhan (1964) when he states “considerable detachment from the feelings or emotional involvement that a nonliterate man or society would experience” (p.79). Many believe that the responsibilities that technology assumes can weaken the brain because it is not fully immersed in the processes.