![]() ![]() To establish a more durable memory, we need to prevent incoming information from being “dumped.” We accomplish this by associating it meaningfully with knowledge that already exists. The use of strategies plays a very critical role in structuring input to help it move into long-term memory in a meaningful and memorable format. Incorporating novelty such as humor, movement, or music, into strategies helps the information attract our attention. Our brains are programmed to pay attention to the unusual - something different. Information “grabbed,” or made meaningful, moves on to short-term memory. The diagram in figure 1 is a representation of the memory system: Information moves from Sensory Input through Sensory Memory and Short-Term Memory and eventually into Long-Term Memory (Richards, 2003, p. In figure 1, the funnel and the filter represent these processes: sensory input and sensory memory. This same filtering mechanism organizes relevant data into meaningful patterns. We have a mechanism to filter out and discard irrelevant or unnecessary data, such as the feel of the carpet as we walk or the sound of the air conditioner. Using our sensory systems, we see, taste, hear, or feel a sensation or stimuli. Our description of isolated components is only a representation because in reality our brains process information in an integrated fashion.Įverything begins as sensory input from our environment. Memory is a highly complex process involving multiple components working simultaneously. As we understand the purpose, we become better equipped to help our students understand and use strategies. It is valuable for us, as teachers, therapists, and parents, to have a basic understanding of how we remember information so we better appreciate the need for strategies. Brains tend to remember information that forms a memorable pattern. Strategies help us organize information into patterns and encourage purposeful learning. Strategy use forms a critical part of our learning experience. We all use strategies throughout our day to remember the variety of facts and ideas we need to retain. Some people may sing a little song or chant: “call so-and-so, call so-and-so.” Others may visualize an association so that when they walk into the den to put down their package, that action will trigger a reminder to make the call. You don’t have any paper to write a note. What do you do to remember an important phone call you must make as you’re driving home? You know that when you enter the house the dog will be barking and your children will each have something urgent to tell you.Once you have a hook into the memory, each recall seems to trigger additional aspects of the event. When someone asks you about a wedding you went to a few years ago, how do you call up the memory? Some people may first think of the food.When you get to the grocery story and want to remember four items, do you hold up four fingers to cue yourself to remember?.When you want to remember a phone number, do you repeat it to yourself several times until you get the whole number dialed?. ![]()
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