Does visual focus increase learning?

Visual focus significantly enhances learning by directing and maintaining cognitive focus. Andrew Huberman explains that our cognitive focus tends to follow our overt visual focus—a phenomenon whereby concentrating visually on a specific point can enhance our mental focus on a related task. Visual focus is so effective that it's utilized in educational settings to teach focus and improve cognitive engagement. In particular, practices like visually focusing on a single location for a sustained period help train the brain to maintain and regain focus, involving key brain areas such as the prefrontal cortex and frontal eye fields. This visual focusing practice is straightforward but challenging, typically lasting from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. It significantly enhances both the duration and quality of cognitive focus 1.

This linkage between visual and cognitive focus is grounded in neural circuits and can even affect motivation during learning sessions by anchoring cognitive focus, thereby making the learning process more efficient 2.