Memory Technique30 Session Objectives:

At the end of this chapter you will be able to:_ Concentrate and be more attentive when learning.

_ Apply Memory Mapping technique to memorize, remember and recollectthings._ Identify your learning style which will help in enhancing your study skill.

A good memory is truly important to be a good professional. Your memoryof faces, names, facts, information, dates, events, circumstances andother things concerning your everyday life is the measure of your ability toexist in today’s fast-paced, information-dependent society. With a goodmemory, you don’t have to fear forgetting/misplacing important stuff andyou can overcome mental barriers that hinder you from achievingsuccess in your career and personal life.31Human MemoryMemory is the mental activity of recalling information that you have learned orexperienced. Our 5 senses (vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell) help us to receive andrecord information. The recorded information is sorted in our brains. The recordedinformation becomes our "memory".

Types of MemoryShort Term Memory is remembering something that you recently saw or heard. Anexample of short term memory is remembering the color of the car that just passed byyou. Short term memory is very brief. It only lasts about 20 seconds. In order toremember the same information at a later time, your brain transfers this informationfrom your Short Term Memory to Long Term Memory. Short Term Memory can betransferred to Long Term Memory by repeating the information, or visualizing it.

Long Term Memory contains information that you have recorded in your brain in thepast. An example of Long Term Memory is the gift you received for a birthday 5 yearsago. Long term memory has no limit on capacity and can store vast amounts ofinformation.

Improve Your Memory PowerPay attention - Sometimes people blame their recall abilities when a given fact escapesthem. This is when the error occurred during the imprint phase. If you are not payingattention, chances are you will not remember. Part of the problem is that we arecontinually bombarded by trivial messages courtesy of the mass media. Attentionfollows interest, if something is important to remember, remind yourself of that at thattime.

Get more sleep – It has been proved that sleep deprivation and fatigue dampen allphases of memory. Elite military units intentionally create conditions of mental andphysical exhaustion during the training and selection of new recruits to see if they canfunction properly under those circumstances, many cannot and are dropped from theprogram. Memory problems are one of the early warning signs that stress has gotten outof hand. Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, rest and recreation.Stay hydrated and oxygenated - All of the organs of the body require copious amountsof water and oxygen to function at their best, especially the brain. Many of the healthproblems encountered the elderly are due to dehydration, including memory lapse.Memory Technique32

The brain uses a lion’s share of the oxygen brought into the body. Make sure your livingand work spaces are well-ventilated. Deep breathing exercises as taught in yoga canalso improve memory and mind power.

Avoid negative beliefs - A person gets to a certain age and it is almost inevitable he willbegin to complain about the memory starting to get foggy. This is not to say thatdementia and Alzheimer’s disease are not real maladies. However, the power of selfsuggestion can impair memory in an otherwise healthy person.

Specific memory technique – These are creative aids to memory. They work best whenthey are the products of your own imagination. There are many techniques that peopleuse involuntarily which include chunking, association, mapping etc.

How to Improve Attention

One of the most common causes of poor attention is the lack of interest. You are moreinclined to remember the things in which you have been most interested, because inthat emanation of interest there has been a high degree of attention exhibited. Aperson may have a very poor memory for many things; but when it comes to things inwhich his interest is involved, he often remembers the most intricate details. This is called involuntary attention. This type of attention does not require special effort or exertion because it follows upon interest, curiosity, or desire.

The other type of attention is called voluntary attention. This form of attention is grantedupon objects not necessarily interesting, curious, or attractive. This requires the effortand usage of the will.

For attention to take place, you must diligently practice the art of voluntary attention.Here are some successful strategies to help you acquire this essential skill:

1. Turn your attention upon some uninteresting thing and study every detail until youare able to describe them. This will seem boring or tiresome at first but you muststick to it. Do not practice too long at a time at first; take a rest and try it againlater. You will soon find that it comes easier, and that a new interest is starting tomanifest itself in the task. For example, pick a flower. Touch it. Smell it. Feel itstexture. How many petals does it have? How long is the stem? What is the color

and shape of the petals? By doing this simple task, you will be surprised at thequantity of little things that you will notice. This method, practiced on manythings, in spare hours, will develop the power of voluntary attention andperception in anyone, no matter how deficient he or she may have been inthese things.

2. Eliminate distractions. Even though you may have heard of multitasking, it is verydifficult for people to do more than one thing at a time. For example, you’re acollege student studying for the semester Exams. You wouldn’t be able to absorbproperly into your mind what you are studying if your radio is playing loud rockand-roll music, or if you’re hearing the video games being played by your kidbrother. As much as possible, avoid any possible distractions such as TV, radio, orother people chattering.

3. Retain focus and concentration in the process of learning or memorization. Let’ssay you’re busy getting ready to meet your friend and your mother is giving youa list of things to be bought on your way back. In this case, there would be muchless chance for you to remember the list because you are concentrating onsomething else which you regard as more urgent or important. If you want toremember something well, shift your focus on that one thing and willfully commitit to memory.

4. Keep track all of your thoughts. Whenever you become aware that yourthoughts are losing, say "STOP!" in your mind. This will bring your drifting to a haltand redirect your attention to what needs to be done. Remember that goodconcentration breeds good memory. If you find that your thoughts are traveling,be conscious that your attention is drifting.

5. Get interested. To have good memorization skills, you should also like what youare doing. To vividly memorize a visual, an image, or even text, engage yourselfinto it. You should put your heart in every activity you’re working and doing. Ifyou don’t like to engage in a certain activity, there’s a slim chance for you toremember aspects about it.

6. Get motivated. Now let’s say you want to become a doctor. Why are you

familiarizing and memorizing into such ambiguous medical or biological terms?For one thing, you might want to be on the top of the class. Or you might want tobe popular in your school. Or you might want to be a good doctor someday tohelp your community. Goals and timeframe nourish motivation. And motivationpromotes a sharp memory. To further motivate yourself, reward yourself for anytasks that you have accomplished. Set a particular incentive for every objective.Memory Technique

7. Give your subconscious a mental command to bear in mind what you want toremember. You may say, "Here, you take note of this and remember it for me!"You’ll be astounded by what the subconscious can do for you.Before you can memorize or remember anything, you should be able to perceive wellthrough proper attention. Use the methods above and you’re well on your way to asharper memory.

Sleep and MemoryResearch indicates that you can better remember the information you are reading ifyou will go to sleep right after learning it. But there are two limits:

1. The material that you intend to recall should be easy to understand, or youshould already have a fair amount of knowledge or experience in the topicbeing discussed.

2. You must not be too tired or exhausted when reading the material.

The next time you need to learn something, try this procedure and see if it works for you.It worked for me!

Mind Map

Do you ever feel flooded by information?Do you suffer from the "too much to read, too little time to read it" syndrome?Do you find it hard to organise your thoughts into a logical flow?Do you forget important facts, figures, dates or events?

These are just some of the problems many of us experience on a daily basis. But ourability to process and manage information can be the difference between successand failure. However, the good news is that all these problems can be solved usingMind Maps!A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked toand arranged around a central key word or idea.

Sample Mind Map

Step-by-Step Mind Mapping

STEP ONEThe first stage involves putting a title in bold, capital letters in the centre of your page.This example is not perfect. To increase effectiveness, mind maps should preferablyinclude:PicturesColourMemorable words / cues to memory

STEP TWO

The next stage involves adding main branches to your diagram that represent each ofthe areas of the topic being studied, or its related topics. The branches should extendfar enough from your central image to avoid over-crowding the page and confusinginformation. Ideally, pictures should be used to represent themes and concepts. It helpsif the branches are different colours and/or shapes.

The branches should be:BoldBrightColourfulLabelled memorably and clearly, preferably in colour (not shown in this example).

STEP THREE

The next stage involves adding sub-branches to your hierarchical diagram. Thesebranches are also coloured. You may find it helpful to use different shades of the colour

used for the main branches. Continue to label in bold, colourful lettering. Continueusing simple images to represent concepts and to make sense of your mind map.Your completed mind - map or diagram should be:

BrightColourfulVisually boldAesthetically pleasingOrderedMeaningful to youInclusive of Inter-relationships between headings / topics

Uses of mind maps

Mind maps can be used in a wide range of situations, from brainstorming, sorting outfamily problems, business meetings, making notes from books or lectures, to planning aseries of television programs. Most useful to you in your student career, however, will be:Making notes from books and other secondary sources.Making notes from lectures.Making notes for essays or presentations.

Hints for Mind Mapping

1. Position the main idea in the center. Preferably a picture of it.2. Use lots of space, so you can add things later.3. Use colors and capitals where useful. Personalize the map.4. Look for relationships.5. Create sub centers for sub themes.

Strengths of Mind Mapping

1. Simplicity. Ease of use.2. Associative. Any idea probably has many links.3. Visual. Easy of remember.4. Radial. Allows you to work in all directions.5. Overview. Helps to see the big picture and relationships between issues.

Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Learning styles are simply different approaches or ways of learning. Individuals learnand process information in different ways. Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Somepeople may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of theother styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances.There is no right mix. Nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominantstyles, as well as further develop styles that you already use well.Knowing and understanding our learning style helps us to learn more effectively.

Learning Style Inventory

Instructions: Circle or tick the answer that most represents how you generally behave.

1. When I operate new equipment I generally:a) read the instructions firstb) listen to an explanation from someone who has used it beforec) go ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I use it

2. When I need directions for travelling I usually:a) look at a mapb) ask for spoken directionsc) follow my nose and maybe use a compass

3. When I cook a new dish, I like to:a) follow a written recipeb) call a friend for an explanationc) follow my instincts, testing as I cook

4. If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to:a) write instructions down for themb) give them a verbal explanationc) demonstrate first and then let them have a go

5. I tend to say:a) watch how I do itb) listen to me explainc) you have a go

6. During my free time I most enjoy:a) going to museums and galleriesb) listening to music and talking to my friendsc) playing sport or doing DIY

7. When I go shopping for clothes, I tend to:

a) imagine what they would look like onb) discuss them with the shop staffc) try them on and test them out

8. When I am choosing a holiday I usually:a) read lots of brochuresb) listen to recommendations from friendsc) imagine what it would be like to be there

9. If I was buying a new car, I would:a) read reviews in newspapers and magazinesb) discuss what I need with my friendsc) test-drive lots of different types

10. When I am learning a new skill, I am most comfortable:a) watching what the teacher is doingb) talking through with the teacher exactly what I’m supposed to doc) giving it a try myself and work it out as I go

11. If I am choosing food off a menu, I tend to:a) imagine what the food will look likeb) talk through the options in my head or with my partnerc) imagine what the food will taste like

12. When I listen to a band, I can’t help:a) watching the band members and other people in the audienceb) listening to the lyrics and the beatsc) moving in time with the music

13. When I concentrate, I most often:a) focus on the words or the pictures in front of meb) discuss the problem and the possible solutions in my headc) move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch things

14. I choose household furnishings because I like:a) their colours and how they lookb) the descriptions the sales-people give mec) their textures and what it feels like to touch them

15. My first memory is of:a) looking at somethingb) being spoken toc) doing something

16. When I am anxious, I:a) visualise the worst-case scenariosb) talk over in my head what worries me mostc) can’t sit still, fiddle and move around constantly

17. I feel especially connected to other people because of:a) how they lookb) what they say to mec) how they make me feel

18. When I have to revise for an exam, I generally:a) write lots of revision notes and diagramsb) talk over my notes, alone or with other peoplec) imagine making the movement or creating the formula

19. If I am explaining to someone I tend to:a) show them what I meanb) explain to them in different ways until they understandc) encourage them to try and talk them through my idea as they do it

20. I really love:a) watching films, photography, looking at art or people watchingb) listening to music, the radio or talking to friendsc) taking part in sporting activities, eating fine foods and wines or dancing

21. Most of my free time is spent:a) watching televisionb) talking to friendsc) doing physical activity or making things

22. When I first contact a new person, I usually:a) arrange a face to face meetingb) talk to them on the telephonec) try to get together whilst doing something else, such as an activity or ameal

23. I first notice how people:a) look and dressb) sound and speakc) stand and move

24. If I am angry, I tend to:a) keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset meb) raise my voice and tell people how I feelc) stamp about, slam doors and physically demonstrate my anger

25. I find it easiest to remember:a) facesb) namesc) things I have done

26. I think that you can tell if someone is lying if:a) they avoid looking at youb) their voices changes

c) they give me funny vibes

27. When I meet an old friend:a) I say “it’s great to see you!”b) I say “it’s great to hear from you!”c) I give them a hug or a handshake28. I remember things best by:a) writing notes or keeping printed detailsb) saying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my headc) doing and practising the activity or imagining it being done

29. If I have to complain about faulty goods, I am most comfortable:a) writing a letterb) complaining over the phonec) taking the item back to the store or posting it to head office

30. I tend to say:a) I see what you meanb) I hear what you are sayingc) I know how you feel

Now add up how many A’s, B’s and C’s you selected.

A’s = B’s = C’s =• If you chose mostly A’s you have a VISUAL learning style.• If you chose mostly B’s you have an AUDITORY learning style.• If you chose mostly C’s you have a KINAESTHETIC learning style.

Some people find that their learning style may be a blend of two or three styles, in thiscase read about the styles that apply to you in the explanation next page.

What are the types of learning styles?

Visual Learners - learn through seeing... .These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression to fullyunderstand the content of a lesson. They tend to prefer sitting at the front of theclassroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's heads). They may think in picturesand learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overheadtransparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. During a lecture or classroomdiscussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.

Auditory Learners - learn through listening...

They learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listeningto what others have to say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings ofspeech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Writteninformation may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit fromreading text aloud and using a tape recorder.

Kinesthetic Learners - learn through , moving, doing and touching...Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploringthe physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods andmay become distracted by their need for activity and exploration.When you know your preferred learning style(s) you understand the type of learningthat best suits you. This enables you to choose the types of learning that work best foryou.