Posts Tagged Long-Term Memory

Learning and Memory

On November 15, 2016 / Blog, Learning

Learning and memory are acutely intertwined. When you’re trying to learn new information, think in terms of mastering small chunks rather than an entire course or concept. Why? Because the typical human brain can hold only about seven pieces of information (in contrast to experiences) for less than 30 seconds. If you need to remember information for longer than a few minutes or even a few hours, you will need to continually re-expose yourself to it. That’s simply how learning and memory work.

Neuroscientists refer to this as “maintenance rehearsal.” This is a form of remembering information that involves focusing on an object without thought to its meaning or its association with other objects. For example, when you repeat a … >>>

Emotions and Learning

On October 27, 2015 / Learning

Logic prompts people to think. Emotions prompt people to act.

This fact applies to learning, also.

If you want people to remember what you teach, touch an emotional chord by painting a picture or by telling a story. There is a greater chance of the learning staying in long-term memory using these approaches than when the lesson just focuses on information itself.

If you think back to your own time when you were a student, you’ll realize that this is true. Which teachers were memorable to you? In what classes were you most engaged? Chances are your mind goes back to those teachers who did more than just focus on facts—they made the subjects come alive by helping their students … >>>