Topic 5 : Memory, Learning and Improving Concentration

  • Topic 5
The Learning Pyramid

Elements in the learning pyramid are as follows:

  1. Lecture – 5%
  2. Reading – 10%
  3. Audio Visual – 20%
  4. Demonstration – 30%
  5. Discussion Group – 50%
  6. Practice By Doing – 75%
  7. Teaching Others – 90%

Based on pyramid above, it shows lecture is the most ineffective method for learning. It is because lecture is a passive form of learning. It is the main reason why students are more likely to fall asleep during class. However, some of auditory learner tends to find that lecture is the most effective way for them in learning.

As you can see in the pyramid above, teaching others is the most effective method for learning which is 90%. This is because by teaching others it help to offers additional benefits such as when you teach others you are tends to improved your communication skills and you leadership ability.

Memory Processes

Definition of Memory

  • Memory is the process that related to encode, store and recall the information. These three main processes is involved in the human’s memory.
  • The memory process involves 3 domains are as follows :
  1. Encoding – is the process of incoming information so that it can be entered into our memory.
  2. Storage – is to maintain the information in our memory for a long period of time.
  3. Retrieval – is the process of recalling the stored information from our memory storage so it can be used.

THE STORAGE ( RETAIN INFORMATION )

Human memory are divided into 3 functions for storage. The functions are as follows:

The functions of storage (Retain information)Sensory Memory Short-Term Memory Long-Term Memory
Definition
(what is the meaning ?)

Sensory memory is the temporary storage of the numerous incoming sensory formation

Short-Term memory is the very limited storage of the information currently being used		Long-Term memory is the unlimited storage which is relatively permanent storage of information
DurationHighLimitedUnlimited
Capacity


Less than a second (vision) or few seconds (hearing)
Less than 20 secondsLong of permanent
Example
1. If one pay attention to the stimuli, it will go to the Short-Term Memory

2. If one doesn’t pay attention to the stimuli, it will be lost
1. The information must be rehearsed or repeated in order to get the information to Long-Term Memory

2. The information must be recalled or otherwise it will be forgotten		 1. The information from Short-Term Memory is moved to the Long-Term Memory and are stored here to be used later (Retrieval)
2. If the information is not be used for some time, forgetting may occur

Memory Strategies

Based on the image below, this are some of the activities related to Memory Strategies that are given by our lecturer in the class :

My overall score is 6 point during this test so i think i need to improve my Memory Strategies skills in learning more 🙂
This is when our lecturer ask us to do a presentation about how forgetting can occur

Definition of Memory Strategies

  • Memory Strategies are the techniques that can be used to learn and retain a new knowledge. It also refers to the various way of techniques that are designed to help one remember a difficult information.
  • Thus, without using a correct techniques in memorizing they may tends to experience a difficulty in memorizing various type of information. Therefore, memory strategies is very important especially for students as this will help them in memorizing better.
  • Not only that, forgetting may also occur in a short period of time. The reasons for forgetting are as follows :
Reasons forgetting can occur

^ This is mind maps i made using Microsoft Word.

Strategies on how to improve our memory

  • Memory strategies are designed to help those who facing a problem in memorizing. Some of the strategies on how to improve our memory are as follows:
  1. Elaboration Strategies – is a method which involves assigning a meaningful information to something you are trying to remember. In which it would turn to make the non-meaningful information easier to remember.

Example of Elaboration Strategies :

  • Mnemonic Strategies
  • Organizational Strategies – organize the materials for example there are 4 types of blood which AB , A , B and O

2. Rehearsal – rehearsal is the process of repeat the information several times. It is the most effective way in memorizing as the information will be transfer to Long-Term Memory after being repeated so many times.

3. No cramming – meaning of no cramming is give a break from reading all the material down for some period of time. Example of no cramming is did not cover up all chapters a day before the exam

definition of Cramming

4. Spaced practice – is involve when the information is presented in smaller session and distributed over some period of time, as this will increase the memory of the information better.

Definition of Massed practice and Spaced Practice

Concentration Strategies

Based on the image below, this are some of the activities related to Concentration Strategies that are given by our lecturer in the class :

My overall score is 8 point during this test so i think i need to keep my good score in my Concentration Strategies skills

This is my Concentration Chart that i made :

Concentration chart

Definition of Concentration

What is Concentration vs Breaking Concentration ?

  • Concentration – is the action of focusing all of your attention on what are you doing without being distracted. This is very important for students as this will let them concentrate in doing their assignment before the deadline.
  • Breaking Concentration – is the action when you cannot stay still or focusing all of your attention on what are you doing because of the distraction in your surroundings. This always occur for those who have a bad peer influences around them. As a result, they will be facing a difficulty in finishing their assignment before the deadline and it may affect their studies too.

5 causes of poor concentration and strategies to improve concentration are as follows :

Causes of poor concentration and Strategies to improve concentration

^ This are mind maps i made using Microsoft Word

Reading / Study system ( SQ3R )

Study System (SQ3R)

Definition of SQ3R

What is SQ3R ?

  • SQ3R is a reading strategy or comprehension method named for its five steps that is Survey , Question and 3R is stands for Read, Recite and Recall. This helps students to catch up as soon as they read a text by teaching students on how to read and think like an effective reader.

The 5 strategies are as follows :

1. Survey – before you read scan the text and pay attention to the tittle, subtitle, chapter, introduction, sections, highlighted words etc.

2. Question – ask yourself question about the text in each section based on the preview (survey). Ask yourself what you already know and what your goals is about the text.

3. Read – keep on read the text while keeping the previous steps in the back of your mind. Try to look for answers to the questions they formed during the preview of the text.

4. Recite – after each section, pause. Underline and highlight important point you have just read. After that, write a summary from the text but write information in your own words.

5. Review – after you have finished reading the whole text, try to read all the relevant parts again. Go through your noted or summary and questions again, try to answers them. If you cant recall you have to go back and find the answers this part is to test yourself.

Reading text

Example when using SQ3R method :

  • Survey
  • Question
  • Read
  • Recite
  • Review
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