Memory Techniques
 
MEMORIZATION TECHNIQUES

 

The art of memorization is referred to as mnemonics. Mnemonics are methods for remembering information that is otherwise quite difficult to recall. A very simple example of a mnemonic is the '30 days hath September' rhyme.

    The basic principle of mnemonics is to use as many of the best functions of the human brain as possible to code information. 
MEMORIZATION MADE EASY

There are many suggestions on how to make memorization easier but the best methods are those that the individual creates. 

  • Visual learners are most likely to benefit from mnemonics but an auditory learner can learn to adjust mnemonics to his learning style by substituting auditory cues.
  • The kinesthetic learner can imagine performing actions or using tools as the basis of memory techniques.
MEMORIZATION LINKED TO LEARNING STYLES

The way a person learns affects the sort of mnemonics they should consider using. Remember, too, no one uses one style exclusively. 

  • There is usually significant overlap in learning styles. 
  • Since visual learners make up around 65% of the population, most mnemonic devices utilize visual images to aid memory. 
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER: 
  • Use positive, pleasant images. 
  • Vivid, colorful images are easier to remember. 
  • Jot down every diagram, map or symbol written on the board by the instructor. 
  • Even with printed course notes in front of them, visual learners still benefit from written information of their own, symbols, diagrams, etc.
    Auditory learners * relate most effectively to the spoken word. They will listen intently to a lecture, then rely on printed notes or their own notes. 
    • Often times, summaries of ideas developed in a book or a series of lectures will help the auditory learner understand the material.
    • Readily understanding material is essential to learning and remembering.
    • Auditory learners make up about 30% of the population. Another excellent manner for the auditory learner to remember is to teach the material to someone else. 
    • As passive learners, we remember only 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, and 30% of what we see. 
    • When you teach someone else, you retain 70 % of what you teach. When you tell and show someone you retain 90% of what you say and do!
A FEW TECHNIQUES

Memorization begins with the simple act of taking notes on what you are hearing in class or reading in the text. Next you must 

  • rewrite and organize notes,
  • create index cards on key terms or definitions, and 
  • review and recite frequently.
On a more difficult level, how does one distinguish between Supreme Court cases and/or similar rulings? Try creating a simple "formula" in remembering that the Espionage Act was upheld by the U. S. Supreme Court by Schenk v. U. S. and that the Sedition Act was upheld by Abrams v. U. S. For example:
 
E S
S A 

reminds this instructor that the two S's should never be linked together. Just a simple reminder that Sedition and Schenk are not correctly linked, then allows the student to correctly associate the Espionage Act with Schenk and the Sedition Act with Abrams. 

How do you remember the geographical location of the Great Lakes? The simple word HOMES can help you remember—Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior.

A common mnemonic acronym (words created by the letters of a series of words) is ROY G. BIV which helps science students remember the colors of the visible spectrum—Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.

IPMAT helps Biology students remember the stages of cell division—Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telephase.

How do you remember that the speed of light is 186,000 miles per second? Imagine one hot dog bun (1) entering a gate (8) made of sticks (6). This weird visual image will help you remember the numbers one, eight, and six in order.
 
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER: 
  • Create your own examples, relating difficult material to your own experiences, thus facilitating understanding and remembering.
  • Think about what you are learning and relate it to whatever is important to you — how does it relate to your past, present and future? 
  • Concentrate on developing the bigger picture — the sequence of ideas — which also help to better understand material. Readily understanding material is essential to learning and remembering.

Sources: Introduction to Memory Techniques by James Manktelow and Sowing the Seeds of Success, A Learning Activities Handbook, compiled and edited by Suzanne Skinner and Carolyn DeLecour. 
* The information on student recall was work originally presented by psychiatrist/educator, Dr. William Glasser in his book, Control Therapy in the Classroom, 1986.  ISBN# 0060550155

 

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Please send any questions, or comments to Nora E. McMillan, email, nmcmilla@alamo.edu, 
or Carol A. Keller, email, ckeller@alamo.edu