memory learning & improving concentration

Memory Learning and Improving Concentration
by Madam Wan Rohana binti Wan Endut

Concentration Chart 

introduction of memory

• memory is just one of many phenomena that demonstrate the brain's complexity.On a basic level, memory is the capacity for storing and retrieving information, but memories are not simply recorded and neatly stored. 

what is memory? what is brain?

     

Many people confuse between memory and brain. Actually, memory and brain is a two different things. Memory is the retention of information  over time or the mind stores and remember information (mental processes/cognition), like computer software. While the brain is defined as the organ, like computer hardware. When we learn and remember , we will encode, store and retrieve the information. The analogy is like a computer.

Understanding memory process

There are three different types of memory 

Sensory memory (SM)  is a numerous incoming information from 5 senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and tough will be stored in the sensory memory for an instant. If one PAY ATTENTION to the stimuli, it will go to the short-term memory (STM). If one does not pay attention, then the information will be lost. (therefore, the importance of PAYING ATTENTION / CONCENTRATION while lecture, reading etc.). For example, the ability to look at something and remember what it looked like just of second observation is an example of sensory memory.

Short term / working memory(STM) is very limited storage. This is because from the SM, information will be relayed to STM. While in STM, information must be REHEARSED/ REPEATED OR use SOME ACTIVE LEARNING  strategies in order to get information to LTM, It holds a small amount of information in our mind. otherwise, information will forgotten . STM is ability to remember and process the information at the same time.(therefore. student must realize that applying memory strategies is important to strengthen the memory ability so that, student can absorb and keep the information or notes easily.)

Long-term memory(LTM)-this is unlimited and large storage . It just like a big library with a lot of books, the books are analogy to information we encode and save. For example, we can remember information about ourselves like name, date of born , name of family and also there are some memory we cannot forget even though that has happened over the years in our lives. From STM, information move to LTM and stored here for later use(retrieval). If the information is not being used for some time, forgetting may occur. That is why having cues/ strategies during encoding earlier would help in retrieval process.

Memory Strategies

     Memory strategies will help students in their encoding, storing, and retrieving the information (help to remember and recall ). Kenneth Higbee , "remembering is hard work, and memory technique do not necessarily make it easy , they just make it more effective" (Van Blerkom)

 What strategies or ways to remember the colours of the rainbow? its look like simple , but we need a way of remembering something for a long time if we want its not lose from our mind. For example, it is my way to remember the colour of the rainbow in Bahasa Melayu which is M J K H B I U-(Michael Jackson Kena Halau Balik India Utara). 

How forgetting could occour

•  did not pay attention to the information
•  did not understand the information
• cramming(last minute study)
•  did not have good strategies
•  interference (having 2 exam on the same day especially if the subjects are closely related for example psychology and counselling)
•  test anxiety ( negative thoughts about oneself, did not prepare well for the test)

How to improve your memory

1. Massed practice vs spaced practice

        Massed practice (not good )-cramming , involves studying all the materials at one time. Do not have time to understand , remember and organize the reading materials.This is because short term memory(STM) cannot sustain many information at one time.

         Space practice(good recommended)- involves space time over some period of time for studying. Spaced practice or distributd practce allows time for the information to consolidate in the long-term memory. Taking breaks between learning session allow you to think and organize the information.

2.  Break reading material down (again no cramming) for some period of time. e.g. 2 chapters per day , not all chapters a day before the exam.

3. Rehearsel -repeat the information many times. e.g. repeat a telephone number 10 times

4. Elaboration strategies:

   - acronyms 

      => MAS- Malaysia Airline System

           UiTM- Universiti Teknologi MARA

  -imegery

      => visualize the image of the information needed
for example: 

sources : google image

  -organization strategies

      => organize the material for example animals can be divided into 3 types which are mammals, reptiles, amphibians.

for example:

                                                           sources : google image

Understanding concentration

  Concentration is ability our mind to focusing on what we are doing. Even if you practice it one week or a month, the result won't be productive if your brain isn't performing well. This happen when we have bad concentration which is lack of attention, lack of interest and lack of motivation. All of this is related to each other. For example, if someone do not interested on something , sure they ignored it and do not pay attention on what is doing. Poor concentration is also because of distraction from other thing. For example, when teacher is teaching and other student make some noise at the back. It can make other student distract of the noise and lose focus on what they are study.Besides that, physiological matters such us illness or tided also make our concentration low. When illness, we feel our body uncomfortable and want to sleep the all day.

Improving concentration strategies 

• Use motivational and organizational strategies

-create interest in the work 

-develope a positive attitude toward you work

-use goal setting strategies

• Match your learning style on the task

-macth

-visual

-auditory: hearing, voice mood

-kineshetic do it: active ask question,need activities

• Create a positive learning enviroment

- find a better location: library, bedroom, study table

-reduce multitasking

-minimize distraction: avoid place where make a loud noise

• Take breaks

- plan to study 30-40 minutes

-review what have learnt

-take 5 or 10 minutes break

• deal with internal concentration

-deal with personal problems,deal with competing activities.

 Reading text

SQ3R: Survey-Question-Read-Recite-Review

 S- Survey : student review the text go gain initial meaning from the title, subtitle, chapter introduction or lead-in, boldface, headings, graft, chart, picture, the final paragraph.

 Q- question : student begin generate about their reading from previewing it.

 R-Read : as student read, they need to look for answer to the question they formed during their preview for the text.

R-recite :student should recite an rehearse the answer to their question. Summarize the information. make note about their answer for later studying.

 R- review : recall your question  and try to answer them after finished reading the whole assignment. If you cannot recall then go back and find answer.