Long-Term+Memory

Our memory is where we store information that has been previously learned or experienced. As we learn, we put more information into our memory through a process called storage. The ways in which we store information in our differ depending upon how the information was presented to the learner. Our ability to retrieve information that had been previously stored in our memory depends on this as well. Long-term memory is where we store and are able to retrieve information over long periods of time.
 * Long-Term Memory**

One way we are taught to remember information is through rote learning. Rote learning is the process of memorizing information when it is thrown at the learner. The main goal for rote learning is for the learner to have the ability to recite that information. This type of memorization is presented to the learner without making connections to the bigger picture with which the information pertains to. One form of rote learning is through rehearsal, which means that information is repeatedly given to the learner specifically over and over again until the learner has the information stored in their memory. Rote learning does not rely heavily on the learners understanding of the subject matter, but that they were able to memorize it.

This is the result of rote learning :



Examples of rote learning:
 * Memorizing dates in History
 * Memorizing the capitals of the United States
 * Times tables

Other, perhaps more successful ways, for information to be retained long-term is through meaningful learning. Meaningful learning is where learners are presented information that has been given a foundation for understanding. Learners are able to make connections with other material so that they may better understand the information they are remembering. One way meaningful learning technique is elaboration, where learners are encouraged to use their base knowledge and expand on it. This promotes the students ability to make relationships between what they know and what they are learning. Organization is a similar meaningful learning technique, but learners are to make connections with information they are currently learning. Visual imagery where learners are provided a picture, graph, or chart that is relevant to the information being learned. This creates a references point for learners when they need to retrieve information; they can visualize the image they were once given during the learning process

Examples of meaningful learning: (Evaporation, solar system)
 * Elaboration- Asking students to think of possible reasons that historical figures made the decisions they did
 * Organization- Drawing connections to a students History class to the time period a novel was written in during Language Arts using a Venn Diagram
 * Visual- Asking a child to draw an image of a scientific theory

Laura Gill October 7, 2013

http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Long-term_memory

http://www.macroeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/calvin_and_hobbes_rote_learning.jpg

Ormrod, Jeanne E. Educational Psychology. Pearson: Massachusetts, 2011. Print.