Assessing the acquisition of a new skill with electroencephalography

We explore the possibility of assessing the acquisition of a new skill through electroencephalographic (EEG) measurements. In particular, we propose an experiment to monitor the process of learning to type using the Colemak keyboard layout during a twelve-lessons training. As a first step, we are interested in identifying statistically significant changes in the power spectral density (PSD) of various EEG rhythms at various stages of the learning process. Those changes are taken into account only when a probabilistic measure of the cognitive state ensures the high engagement of the volunteer to the training. Our preliminary experimental results showed changes in the β and γ rhythms for seven volunteers during the training process. Such changes are in agreement with previous reports of changes in PSD associated to feature binding and fluid intelligence.