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HOW DOES MEMORY WORK?
Human memory works on two different levels: short term memory
and long term memory.
Short term memory
This includes what you focus on in the moment, what holds
your attention. Most people can only hold about 7 items
of information in short term memory at any given moment, although
some can hold up to nine.
Look at example A below. Then look away from your computer
screen and try to hold it in your short term memory.
A = 6593028
Most likely, you can hold it as long as you choose. Now follow
the same procedure with example B.
B = 573927450621
It's much more difficult, if not impossible, for most people.
Short term memory is exactly what the name says: short term.
To learn information so you can retain and recall it, you
must transfer it from short term to long term memory.
Long term memory
This includes all the information that you know and can
recall. In many ways, it becomes a part of you. Once information
becomes a part of your long term memory, you'll have access
to it for a long time.
FROM SHORT TERM TO LONG TERM
How do you move information into long term memory? Two of
the ways are: rote learning and learning through
Rote learning means learning through repetition,
mechanically, with little understanding. For example,
as a child you probably memorized the alphabet and the multiplication
tables by rote.
Learning through understanding involves learning and
remembering by understanding the relationships among ideas
and information. Rather than using rote memory,
you use logical memory when you learn through
understanding. For example, you use logical memory when you
remember main ideas and supporting details from a lecture
not because you repeat the ideas in your mind, but rather,
because you understand them.
Both types of learning and memory are useful and often are
used together. For example, in history, you need to
relate facts (like dates) which you memorized by rote to your
understanding of historical concepts (like the Civil War).
THE KEYS TO REMEMBERING
You can learn to remember more effectively if you learn and
use the four keys described below. Each one helps you to enter
information into your long term memory.
Choose to remember. Be interested. Pay attention. Want
to learn and know. What you want is an important part of learning.
People learn more effectively and remember more when they
are interested and want to learn.
How can you choose to remember? One way is to take a few
moments to choose to learn before you read or listen to a
lecture. Sit calmly, take a few deep breaths, and tell yourself
with your inner voice: "I choose to remember what I learn
today." Repeat this a few times, and then begin.
Visualize or picture in your mind what you wish to remember.
For many people, a mental picture or visualization is clearer
and easier to remember than words. For each major concept
that you want to remember, create a mental picture and then
look at it carefully for a few seconds. Once you've seen it
clearly, you'll probably be able to recall it.
If you are not a visual learner, you may find that
you need to improve the quality of your mental pictures or
images by practicing. Look at a picture, object, or
photograph, then close your eyes and try to see it in your
mind's eye. Practice this for a few moments each day.
Relate the ideas and information you wish to remember to
each other and to ideas and information you already know.
When you relate information to other information, you create
a chain of memories which lead to one another. When you label
an information chain or group of ideas, you create a kind
of "file" that makes it easy to locate and remember
You can help yourself to relate information by using mental
pictures, visual organizers, or by outlining.
Repeat what you wish to learn until you overlearn
it. Say it in your own words. Even though you've
already learned something, go over it one more time. Research
shows that the time you spend on overlearning and putting
ideas into your own words will pay off by making recall easier
and more complete.
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Developed by Meg Keeley
Office, Bucks County Community College
With funding from the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied
Technology Education Act
Designed and Produced by Chimera Studio
Copyright 1997 Bucks County Community College. All rights