Phase II Part 4

Memory: It is the persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information. For different people it takes them different amounts of time to memorize something. Some people have photographic memory where they can simply look at something for a short moment and have in embedded in their memory in which they can look back upon like a picture.

Memory Loss: This may also me known as amnesia. It can be the total or partial loss of memory from the cause of various different reasons. Alzheimer’s is very common in people when they become older. One of their symptoms may be memory loss. My grandmother is showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s and often forgets visits my dad have made earlier in the week.

Memory Feats: This may be a particular or significant moment in one’s lifetime. For example, I do not remember much of my childhood, but I do remember certain things in particular. I remember when I was about eight years old in my old house I was playing in the front yard. I was walking and all of the sudden tripped over a stake in the ground. I had deep splinters and had to get stitches. I may have remembered this because in my age, that was a tragic and painful moment at the time.

Memory like a computer?: People my refer to memory like a computer. This is because we may have memories that are in our subconscious that we are not aware of until something reminds us of this particular memory. A computer is similar in the way you can store information on it and it may be forgotten about, but it is still there. One can go back to the information later on to refresh to the information that was stored previously. I often “remember” information when something reminds me of such.

How neuroscience fits into memory: Neuroscience fits into memory because they both have to do with the brain. Neuroscience can help further explain what processes go on throughout the body that may trigger certain memories.

Sensory memory (also 354) Please include all types: It is the immediate and initial recording of sensory information in the memory system. The types of sensory memory are ionic memory and echoic memory. Ionic memory is a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli, or a photographic memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second. An example of this is when I quickly look at a few extra vocabulary words for the quiz. I only remember these words for a short moment for the quiz. Echoic memory is a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli or the ability to recall sounds or words within a few seconds. An example of this is if my mom tells me to remember a name for her quickly and I do. However, a few seconds later I forget what the name is.

Long-term memory (also on 355) Please include storage: Storage is the retention of encoded information over time. It can be defined as the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system. An example of long-term memory is memories I have such as memories from my childhood. Although they happened a long time ago, I still remember them and probably always will.

Short-term memory (also on355): Short-term memory is the activated memory that holds a few items briefly before the information is stored or forgotten. An example of this is when I am studying vocab. Although I am trying to learn it, the best way is to memorize them. After I take the vocabulary quiz, I usually forget the words and then a have to relearn them if I am going to be testing on them again.

The role of emotion in memory: Emotion my help us remember a certain event over less significant events. This can be referred to as a flashbulb memory, or a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event. Although I had my dog Chance for over ten years, the event that stands out most is when he died. I was very emotionally when we had to put him to sleep and since I was emotional I am more likely to remember that moment over any other with him.

1. Consider everything you know about the way memory works in the human brain. How can you tap into that in order to construct your learning strategy? Provide at least 5 different ways to use memory to create an effective learning strategy.
One would want a learning strategy that does not just store for a short period of time, but rather have a permanent storage of the information. Instead of using strategies for short-term memory, strategies that trigger long-term memory should be used. By using the idea of memory feats, a teacher can match up a significant event that matches up to knowledge so that one can learn the information more efficiently. Since our memories are stored like information in a computer, we can use strategies that help trigger information that is stored in our subconscious mind. Methods that continually add sensory memories would be sufficient because eventually the immediate information will be stored in the mind. Also one can use emotional stimuli to help one remember and learn this better.