ImprovingMemory and Reading
How does the memory work?
Three Stages Sensory Register Short Term Memory (STM) Long Term Memory (LTM)
Sensory Register
Lasts less than a second Records sensory experience Allows the brain to process info Helps us to focus on relevant info
The Sensory Register is like a quickly fading photo of your sensory experience
Short Term Memory
Lasts about a half a minute Temporary and limited Records what we see, hear, do, taste,
touch Purpose is to ponder significance
and decide if it is important enough to remember
Magical Number 7
It is easier to remember material grouped in chunks of seven (+ or –2)
Common 7’s
Telephone Number License Plate Days of the Week Colors of the Rainbow Deadly Sins 7 Dwarfs (Snow White) Can You Name Some Others?
Long Term Memory
Large capacity Permanent storage Use it to store important information
for future use Use it to store information for college
success
How are long term memories formed? Takes purposeful action
Repetition Meaningful association
It must have survival value Personal reasons To pass a test
These Help Motivation
Interest or Joy in learning
Is It True that We Never Forget? We remember what is stored in
Long Term Memory (LTM) This is the goal of college study
How Long Do We Remember?
Sensory Register less than one second
Short Term less than one minute Long Term permanent
Summary
To Store Information in Long Term Memory
Requires rehearsal Apply memory techniques
•Rate of Forgetting (or losing access)
•AFTER 20 MINUTES 47%• AFTER 1 DAY 62%•AFTER 2 DAYS 69%•AFTER 15 DAYS 75%•AFTER 31 DAYS 78%
Hermann Ebbinghaus
When is the best time to review?
Review within 20 minutes
Ready for a memory test?
How did you remember?
Memory Techniques
Meaningful Organization
Memory is like a library
If you miss-file a book, You cannot find it.
It is still there and you may stumble across it one day.
Organize those thoughts!
File your books correctly.
Organize it.
Learn from the general to the specific
Make it meaningful
Remember the Magical Number 7?
Organize in Groups of 7 or Less
Visualization
Make a mental picture of what you want to remember
Commercials make good use of this technique
Recitation
One of the most powerful techniques Memories exist in the form of a
chemical neural trace Some researchers think it takes 5
seconds to establish this trace Repeat it 5 times or keep it in your
mind for 5 seconds
READY FOR THE TEST AGAIN?
YOU’LL DO BETTER THIS TIME
More Memory Techniques
Develop an Interest
We tend to remember what interests us
Can You Remember?
Music Sports Hobbies Styles
Find Something Interesting in Your College Studies
See the Big Picture
Understand the main points first and the details second
Imagine trying to see a painting one inch at a time! It is difficult to appreciate or understand.
“The essence of genius isknowing what to overlook.”
William James
Intend to Remember
Tell yourself that you are going to remember.
Intend to remember where you put your keys!
Distribute the Practice
Learn small amounts at a time Review frequently
EXAMPLE:SAFMEDS
SAYALLFASTONE MINUTEEACHDAYSHUFFLE
Create a Basic Background
We remember by making connections to what we already know
At first college is difficult because you are establishing the basic background
Relax While Studying
You can’t remember if you are embarrassed
Frustrated
Tired
Memory Tricks
Acrostics
Creative rhymes, songs or poems
Musical Notes: Every Good Boy Does Fine
Acronyms
Create New Words as Memory Aids
NASA
LASER
SCUBA
Exercise: Practice with Mnemonics
Peg Systems
One Bun Six Sticks
Two Shoe SevenHeaven
Three Tree Eight Gate
Four Door Nine Wine
Five Hive Ten Hen
Picture the Peg
Bun
Connect what you want to remember. Use a picture.
Bun Milk
Exercise: Remember a Grocery List
Peg Systems
One Bun Six Sticks
Two Shoe SevenHeaven
Three Tree Eight Gate
Four Door Nine Wine
Five Hive Ten Hen
Loci Systems
Use places to remember A House A Hallway
Can you strengthen your mind?
Exercises to Strengthen the Mind Puzzles Music Fix Something Art Dance Aerobic Exercise Interesting People
Keeping Your Mind Healthy
Exercise Rest Balanced, low-fat diet Eat proteins and carbohydrates Drink caffeine in moderation Don’t abuse drugs or alcohol Use safety gear
Part II: Read to Remember
Warm Up Your BrainCan You Remember the Grocery List?
Peg Systems
One Bun Six Sticks
Two Shoe SevenHeaven
Three Tree Eight Gate
Four Door Nine Wine
Five Hive Ten Hen
Sum: Apply these super learning techniques Meaningful Organization Visualization Recitation Develop an Interest See the Big Picture First Intend to Remember Distribute the Practice Create a Basic Background Relax
Myths About Reading
If I read, I should remember what I read.
Generally people cannot remember 50% of of the material they have just read!
Myths About Reading
If I read, I should remember what I read.
I do not need to read if I go to class. Practice makes perfect.
SQ4RA shortcut to college reading
Read onceInstead of Re-reading.
Recite for memory improvement
Step 1
SurveyQuestion
FAST
Why?
•Beginning of speed reading•Improves comprehension
How? Quickly look over the chapter Turn the subtitles into questions
Survey See the big picture Ease into studying Warm up Create a basic background Get started
Question Read to find answers Improves reading comprehension Forces you to concentrate
??
Keeps you awake
Become an Active Reader
Exercise: Surveying and Questioning a Chapter
Step 2Read
Recite
SLOW
FAST
This step is most important for
Memory
How?
Read to identifythe topic sentenceor main idea
Underline or highlight the idea if it is important.
When reading is tough Read it again Look up new words Read it aloud Ask the instructor Stand up and read Use tutoring Pretend you understand Take a break and come back later
Read with a Dictionary
Use 3X5 cards to learn new words
Recite Most powerful memory technique Converts information from short
term to long term memory Keeps you alert
FAST
Step 3
Review
ReflectFAST
Why?
Reinforcesmemory
When?
Within 20Minutes!
Most of the forgetting occursin the first 20 minutes.
How to Review
After each main section, review the main points
At the end of the chapter, quickly review the main points one more time
Do your review quickly
Reflection is the creative step
Reflection How can I use this? What is important? How does it relate? How can I use it
in my career? Is it true?
A step beyond memorization is
Wisdom
REFLECT
Sum:SQ4R
Online Reading Strategies
What is your purpose for reading?
For college material:
Scan first.
Look for key points.
Make note of the important points.
Review.
What to do if the reading goes in one ear and out the other.
What to do if the reading goes in one ear and out the other? Tell yourself you can do it! Try visualization. Look for personal meaning. Scan for important points. Talk to the text as you read it.
4 Gears of Reading
Skimming (2000-3000 WPM) Rapid Reading (300-800 WPM) Slow Reading (150-300 WPM) Studying (200 WPM)
Guidelines for Marking a Text
A Mind Map for Marking a Text
BE SELECTIVE20%
“THE ESSENCE OFGENIUS IS KNOWINGWHAT TO OVERLOOK”
Marking
BE SELECTIVE20 %
WHY?
MEMORYSAVE TIME
“THE ESSENCE OFGENIUS IS KNOWINGWHAT TO OVERLOOK”
Marking
BE SELECTIVE20 %
WHY?
MEMORYSAVE TIME
GUIDELINES
READ FIRSTORGANIZE
NOTES IN MARGINBRIEFFAST AND NEAT
“THE ESSENCE OFGENIUS IS KNOWINGWHAT TO OVERLOOK”
Marking
BE SELECTIVE20 %
WHY?
MEMORYSAVE TIME
GUIDELINES
READ FIRSTORGANIZE
NOTES IN MARGINBRIEF
FAST AND NEAT
SYMBOLS 1 2 3
** *
“THE ESSENCE OF GENIUS IS KNOWINGWHAT TO OVERLOOK”
Marking
BE SELECTIVE20 %
WHY?
MEMORYSAVE TIME
GUIDELINES
READ FIRSTORGANIZE
NOTES IN MARGIN
BRIEFFAST AND NEAT
SYMBOLS 1 2 3
** *
“THE ESSENCE OF GENIUS IS KNOWINGWHAT TO OVERLOOK”
Marking
BE SELECTIVE20 %
WHY?
MEMORYSAVE TIME
GUIDELINES
READ FIRSTORGANIZE
NOTES IN MARGINBRIEFFAST AND NEAT
SYMBOLS 1 2 3
** *
“THE ESSENCE OF GENIUS IS KNOWINGWHAT TO OVERLOOK”
DOUBLE SYSTEM
1. UNDERLINE IN PENCIL2. HIGHLIGHT AS PART OF REVIEW
More Ideas on Text Marking
Point out definitions by writing DEF in the margin. Circle the word being defined.
Point out examples by writing EX in the margin
Write SUM in the margin to point out useful summaries to reread.
Group Activity:Make a Mind Map Use How Does the Memory Work?
An Example of a Mind Map
Understanding the main ideas= Success on tests
The Listing Pattern Presents a List of Items Your task as a reader is to identify all
items listed Watch for clues such as numbers or
letters
Sequence Pattern
Presents a list of items in a specific order. The order is important.
As a reader, identify and mark all items in the series and note their order.
Again clues are numbers or letters. Notice words such as then, next,
finally
Definition Pattern
Presents an explanation of a term As the reader, understand all parts of
the definition Watch for words such as: is, is
defined, this term means, is known as, refers to
Comparison/Contrast Pattern
Presents similarities or differences As a reader, recognize these
similarities or differences For comparisons, notice these
words: similarly, likewise, also For differences, notice these words:
however, in contrast, on the other hand, nevertheless
Cause/Effect Pattern Presents the reasons things happen
(causes) and their results (effects) As a reader understand the cause and
effect For cause notice these words: causes,
produces, leads to, results in For effect notice these words: results
from, was caused by, due to, consequently, therefore
Keys to Success: Positive Thinking
You can improve your reading and your life with positive thinking!
If you think you are beaten, you are.If you think you dare not, you don’t.If you like to win but think you can’t,It’s almost certain that you won’t.
Life’s battles don’t always goTo the stronger woman or man,But sooner or later, those who winAre those who think they can.
Exercises:Check Your Textbook Reading skills
Scenarios
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