Memory

December is a time of year when people make a lot of memories!

How does our brain make memories?

One way brains retain memories is by photographic images. Researchers often study “flashbulb memories.” A flashbulb memory is a detailed and vivid memory that is stored and retained for a lifetime. Usually, such memories are associated with important, memorable events.

What is Memory?

Memory is the ability to store, retain, and subsequently recall information. Memory can be broken down into three types:

1. Short-Term Memory is the immediate, very brief – lasts a couple seconds – automatic perception of information. This information is obtained through our senses – vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
2. Working Memory is the bridge from short-term memory to long-term memory. Working memory has limited capacity – in general you can retain five to nine pieces of information at a time.
3. Long-Term memory stores information that your brain retains because it is important to you – lasts a lifetime.

ABE Case Study: Memory

This story illustrates very common struggles for ABE students. You can help your student by teaching some of the following memory enhancement strategies.

Memory Enhancement Strategies

• Chunking:

Reduce the number of items students need to remember by grouping or chunking the information. That is why phone numbers and social security numbers are separated into chunks like 999-786-6425.

Example:
Look at the following chunks of letters: T WAN BAC BSC PRC IA
At first glance, they look difficult to memorize.

With simple chunking, look at them now: TWA NBA CBS CPR CIA

• Rhyming and Music:

Uses a different part of the brain and has been shown to help with recall.

Example:
Do you remember the year Columbus sailed for America? Remember this rhyme?
“In fourteen-hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”

Email PANDA at [email protected] to request a copy of memory instructional strategies.