these tools to refine your study habits.
Learning (Memory) Principles
Quick Reference Guide for Brain Compatible Learning
Below is a list of memory or
learning principles with a brief definition of each.
on the principle
for students' notes and what
brain research has discovered.
Starting the Connections
brain prioritizes by meaning, value and relevance. To have meaning, you must
understand what you are learning. In order to remember something thoroughly,
you must be interested in it and think that it has value and relevance in
- Intent to Remember-- Your attitude
has much to do with whether you remember something or not. A key factor to
remembering is having a positive attitude that you get it right the first
time. Attention is not the same as learning, but little learning takes place
- Basic Background--Your understanding
of new materials depends on what you already know that you can connect it
to. The more you increase your basic knowledge, the easier it is to build
new knowledge on this background.
Controlling the Amount and Form
- Selectivity-You must determine
what is most important and select those parts to begin the process of studying
Meaningful Organization--You can
learn and remember better if you can group ideas into some sort of meaningful
categories or groups.
Strengthening Neural Connections
- Recitation--Saying ideas aloud
in your own words strengthens synaptic connections and gives you immediate
feedback. The more feedback you get, the faster and more accurate your learning.
- Visualization--The brain’s
quickest and probably the longest-lasting response is to images. By making
a mental picture, you use an entirely different part of the brain than you
did by reading or listening.
- Association--Memory is increased
when facts to be learned are consciously associated with something familiar
to you. Memory is essentially formed by making neural connections. Begin by
asking, “What is this like that I already know and understand?”.
Allowing Time to Solidify Pathways
- Consolidation--Your brain must
have time for new information to establish and solidify a neuronal pathway.
When you make a list or review your notes right after class, you are using
the principle of consolidation.
series of shorter study sessions distributed over several days is preferable
to fewer but longer study sessions.
on this page is from Practicing
College Learning Strategies, 6th edition by Dr. Carolyn Hopper published
by Houghton Mifflin, 2013
Click for Power Point Presentaion including definition, what brain research
says, how students can apply them:
For a list of other PowerPoint Presentation about Learning Strategies