Memory is the brain faculty which encodes, stores, and retrieves data. When past experiences aren’t able to be recalled, it would be very difficult to establish your personal history, partnerships, relationships, or language!
Therefore, there’s no doubt the brain’s memory is of severe importance.
Most scientists say that a human brain works using a complex process known as the “dual-process” theory. This theory states that the brain has two processes referred to as “system 1” and “system 2”.
System 1 is where more regular, unconscious, and routine thought processes interact, whereas system 2 is where the more conscious and more problem-based processes interact with each other.
System 1 is distinguished by its swift, unconscious retrieval of previously stored knowledge.
Classroom tasks that would depend heavily on system 1 involve memorizing multiplication tables, as well as multiple-choice test questions that only include correct regurgitation from a database like a textbook.
These types of processes do not require the students to analyze what is being asked of them and only need to revise the memorized material. When students are asked to finish assignments and perform activities, this is where system 2 comes to play.
Memory has 3 parts to it; Encoding, storage, and retrieval. Encoding relates to the mechanism where knowledge is processed and gained.
It’s how knowledge is stored, interpreted, and altered to help to memorize more. After the knowledge is encoded, it is then stored.
Storage refers to how much, and how long the information that is encoded is retained within the storage system of the brain.
The last step, after storing the information, involves the person having access to the stored information, and that is referred to as retrieval.
Test Yourself
As amazing as all these sounds, there is something more amazing to this; this memory can easily be improved and recalled faster and easier!
If you ever wondered why students are given tests periodically during school, its because it is one of the most effective ways for students to improve their retrieval process of the memory.
The test impact relates to the cycle of checking memory consolidation consistently and regularly as new knowledge is learned.
By motivating students to remember knowledge they have learned recently on a daily basis, you allow them to retain the information in long-term memory that they can rely on at a later point in the learning process.
Practice Deliberately
Simply stated, deliberate practice relates to the process of learning a skill intentionally and consistently with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of that ability. By consistently and intentionally inspiring students to exercise a talent, they will preserve that skill better.
Chunking
Chunking is the practice of aggregating bits of knowledge together to make processing simpler. Instead of independently recalling each object, individuals recall the whole group of information and can then more quickly recover each element from that group.
State-dependent Memory
Have you ever heard that chewing the same flavored gum during studying and while taking the exam, you can recall memory faster?
Well, that isn’t a myth, but rather referred to as “state-dependent memory”, which means being in the same state and environment that you were in while you were processing that information.
Memory is the most important aspect of an individual’s lifetime. Without a strong memory, forgetting and memorizing things start happening too often. Use the methods above to revive memory over time.
