Memory and Education

Memory

How memory works and its relation to the educational field

Amy Sims May 15, 2024

Click on each red button to learn about memory and education

Memory and its effect on learning: How it works and how to help

References

• DiTullio, G. (2021). How to engage students' memory processes to improve learning. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-engage-students-memory-processes-improve-learning
• Greenberg, M. (2021). Understanding the trauma brain. Psychology today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-mindful-self-express/202106/understanding-the-trauma-brain

• The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine. (2017). How trauma impacts four different types of memory. https://www.naadac.org/assets/2416/2019NWRC_Michael_Bricker_Handout4.pdf
• Mendel, B. (n.d.). Does meditation improve memory? Mindworks. https://mindworks.org/blog/does-meditation-improve-memory

• Psychology Today. (n.d.). How memory works. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory/how-memory-works

References

• Psychology Today. (n.d.). How to improve memory. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory/how-improve-memory
• Psychology Today. (n.d.). Types of Memory. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory/types-memory

• Sousa, D.A. (2022). How the brain learns (6th ed.). Corwin. ISBN-13: 9781071855362

• The president and fellows of Harvard College. (2024). Memory. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/memory

Retention and Transfer in Learning

Transfer

Retention

Transfer and retention are important to learning because it is when information being used in the working memory becomes long term and can be drawn on over time. The information is stored in the brain and the connections to it are deep and meaningful. Transfer is dependent on the rate of retrieval though. The brain creates the pathways to the information. The working memory will give the brain a cue and then the brain has to find the correct pathways to pull the information (Sousa, 2022). When information has been successfully transfered and retained, learning has occured. Transfer is important for educators to understand because transfer does not happen quickly. Content needs to be taught over time because much of transfer relys on past information (Sousa, 2022). A few strategies that help enhance the transfer process are: journaling, using metaphors, encourage student discourse, and questioning (Sousa, 2022). When these strategies are used in the classroom students work with material over time and have time to process it independently with peers, and with the instructor

Trauma and Memory

When someone experiences trauma, their brain can become stuck because the connections are affected. It is harder for them to access coping mechanisms. It is harder to focus and concentrate, staying in the moment. Trauma can keep a brain stuck in the past and when triggered, a person could have a harder time disconnecting the memory from the present situation. People with PTSD can sometimes overreact or under react to situations because the connections in their brain are wired through trauma and moving through that becomes difficult (Greenberg, 2021). Trauma can affect how the brain retains and recalls certain information. The different parts of the brain can have a difficult time combining to recreate a memory. The sequence of events may also become skewed. When triggered the amygdala becomes activated and a person can have a strong emotional reaction to a situation (The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, 2017). All these factors together play a role in a person's memory and affect new stimulus retention as well as recalling previous information. Creating new habits and ways of thinking can be difficult, however, if a person does the work, it can help lessen the effects of trauma on the brain. After conscious work (taking months to years) a person can start to create new connections and pathways in their brain (Greenberg, 2021).

(The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, 2017)

Importance of Memory in Education

Short Term and Working Memory Learning happens when information is successfully transferred into the long term memory. As noted, short term memory is for information that is necessary to the immediate situation and are only stored for a few moments/minutes. The working memory is where the information is being used but can only be recalled for around 20 minutes (depending on age) before a person reaches mental fatigue (Sausa, 2022). For an educator this means understanding the importance of time management. Once a brain reaches fatigue it will no longer be working at its optimal operations and risks no longer being able to store new information.

Long Term and Sensory MemoryThe goal of a teacher is for their students to take information learned and move it from the short term or working memory into long term memory. Long term memory has a hard time remembering rote or randomized information. Also, information not used will be forgotten (DiTullio, 2021). This is important for an educator because it means that although sometimes rote facts can be necessary, it is more important to make sure that information is connected across the brain in multiple ways. The information also needs to be used again and again to help the brain create strong connections so the information can be pulled and synthesized at another time.

Types of Memory

What occurs in the brain when memories are established: Memories are stored throughtout the entire brain. First the brain recieves a stimulus, then it begins to determine where best to store the information (memory) to be later recalled. Neurons create pathways for information across the brain. Sight, smell, sound, and emotions associated with a memory are sent to the respective parts of the cerebral cortex for storage. When a memory is recalled, the brain will pull the information from the various areas to create a complete memory. The hippocampus is where the main idea of the memory is catalogued, and the amygdala stores the emotional connections associated with the memory. (The president and fellows of harvard college, 2024)

• Short Term (The president and fellows of harvard college, 2024)
• information is temporarily stored
• lasts a few seconds to minutes
• Relevant to the now and is discarded when no longer relevant

• Long Term (DiTullio, 2021)
• capacity to hold limitless information
• explicit information: facts, experiences, concepts
• implicit information: unconcious, automatic performance (i.e. riding a bike)
• Senosory (Psychology Today: Types of memory, n.d.)
• memories created by sensory stimuli: sound, taste, feel, appearance
• can be shor term or long term

Strategies to Improve Memory

1. Mindfulness Meditation: Practicing mindfulness meditation is an easy, quick way to engage the mind and help increase the changes of retention. It can change the brains structures in ways that help students have clearer memories; better focus and concentration; and lower stress (Mendel, n.d.)
2. Engage Schema: When background knowledge is engaged it gives the brain a prebuilt pathway for new information to travel. It helps create meaningful connections to material and improves the working memory. Educators can use KWL charts, turn and talks, and videos are a few examples educators can use in the classroom to activate their student's schema (DiTullio, 2021).
3. Reinforce the Information: There are a few things that educators can do in the classroom to help ensure that the content is going to get to the long term memory. Using a mnemonic devise, acronyms grouping, visualization, and chunking, and testing the memory are a few ways to help students retain information (Psychology Today: How to improve memory, n.d.)
4. Sleep: Sleep is so important to ensure a healthy body and mind. Sleep helps peopole consolidate their memories and are better able to recall them later (Psychology Today: How to improve memory, n.d.).