Topic 5:Memory,Learning & Improving Concentration

Topic 5: Memory, Learning & Improving Concentration



WHAT IS MEMORY?

• The ability to remember past experiences and the power or process of recalling to mind previously learned facts, experiences, impressions, skills, and habits.

            -From this activity, I could identify my memory strategies whether they are good or not. After I add up all of my points from this activity, I got a quite good point which is 7 so the score indicates that I already using many good memory strategies.

UNDERSTANDING MEMORY PROCESS

1) SENSORY MEMORY

-Numerous incoming information from 5 senses will be stored in the sensory memory for an instant.

-If one PAY ATTENTION to the stimuli, it will go to the short-term memory (STM).If one does not pay attention, then the information will be lost.

2) SHORT-TERM MEMORY (STM)

-Very limited storage.

-The information must be REHEARSED/REPEATED or use SOME ACTIVE LEARNING strategies in order to get information to LTM, otherwise, the information will be forgotten.

3)LONG-TERM MEMORY (LTM)

-Unlimited and large storage.

-From STM, information moved to LTM and stored here for later use. If the information is not being used for some time, forgetting may occur.

MEMORY STRATEGIES

Memory test
-For this activity, I have to remember what I see in 15 seconds!
I also have to write down the number on the activity sheet as much as that I can recall. So only 6 numbers I can remember and the rest I leave it blank.

Memory strategies, WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?

• Memory strategies will help students in their encoding, storing, and retrieving the information (helps to remember and recall.

HOW FORGETTING COULD OCCUR?

1. Did not pay attention to the information
2. Did not understand the information
3. Cramming (last-minute study)
4. Did not have good strategies
5. Interference(having 2 exams on the same day especially if the subjects are closely related for example psychology and counseling)
6. Test anxiety (negative thoughts about oneself, did not prepare well for the test)

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY?

GENERAL MEMORY STRATEGIES

    1.Spaced Practice
 -Research studies have shown that you'll retain more information if you study for eight hours over four days (spaced practice) instead of eight hours at one time (massed practice)

-Massed practice, like cramming, involves studying all the material at one time.

-Spaced practice, on the other hand, involves spacing your study time over a longer period, with breaks between practice sessions. 

     2.Break Tasks Down

-Instead of trying to learn all of the material for your exam at one time (cramming), study only one or two chapters (and the accompanying lecture material)each day.

-When you study small chunks of material at one time, you can do a better job of getting it into LTM.

   3.Repetition

     -If you continue to practice that same material over a period of days, you'll be able to strengthen and maintain your memory of it. 

     -Strengthen your LTM.

   4.Overlearning
 -Overlearning is an important strategy for test preparation.

 -Overlearning involves continuing to work on the material even after it's learned - after it's stored in LTM.

 -This practice is very helpful in improving your memory. Each time you review the material, you reduce forgetting and strengthen the path to your LTM.

SPECIFIC MEMORY STRATEGIES

    1.Rehearsal Strategies

-Rehearsal strategies involve practicing the material until it is learned.

 -Low-Level Rehearsal Strategies-Reading over the material a few times, saying it over and over again, or even copying it several times.

 -High-level Rehearsal Strategies-Outlining, predicting questions, and creating charts and concept maps involve elaborative rehearsal.

   2.Elaboration Strategies
-Associations To associate, or "connect" each word or event with a person, place, thing, feeling, or situation,(e.g spell dessert - has lots of sugar, so it has two s's/ backward spelled stressed)

 -Acronyms/catchwords (e.g. IPOS - Information processing cycle for a computer)

 -Acrostics/catchphrase (e.g. MJKHBIU - rainbow colors - Mat Jenin Kena...)

-Imagery - Visualize the image of the information needed to.

-Organizational strategies Tasks such as listing, ordering, grouping, outlining, mapping, charting, and diagramming are all examples of organization strategies.

 -Comprehension monitoring strategies (e.g take self-test, group  discussion)

UNDERSTANDING CONCENTRATION

• Concentration strategies level

CONCENTRATION 

-focusing your attention on what you are doing 

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CAUSES OF POOR CONCENTRATION

1.Lack of attention
2.Lack of interest 
3.Lack of motivation
4.Distraction from others
5.Uncomfortable environment
6.Physiological matters - illness, tiredness
7.Psychological matters - personal problems, worries, anxieties

• STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING CONCENTRATION

1. Use motivational and organizational strategies-create interest in the work, develop a positive attitude toward your work, use goal-setting strategies, use time-management strategies

2.Create a positive learning environment-find a better location, reduce multitasking, minimize distractions

3.Deal with internal distractions-deal with personal problems and competing activities

4. Use active learning strategies

5.Match your learning style to the task

6.Monitor your concentration 

• Concentration Chart

READING/ STUDY SYSTEM (SQ3R)

• SQ3R

      It is a comprehension strategy that facilities students think about the text they are reading while they are reading.