Memory Lesson

How to activate the brain (Reticular Activating System – ‘new car syndrome’) The magic number 7 – a tale from Sweden! Primacy and recency effect Your natural limits (ACS = age +/- 2 mins) A few things we know about the brain!

Preferred Learning Styles What is a learning style? A learning style is simply a preference for the method by which you learn and remember what you learned.

Re-conscientisation

Visual Learning Style learns best by seeing neat, orderly speaks quickly, holds head up, shoulders erect good long range planners good spellers memorises by strong visual associations functions best with overall view before proceeding has trouble remembering verbal instructions

Auditory Learning Style learns best through hearing likes to listen to talks, music or lectures good story tellers talks to self likes talking more than writing easily distracted by noise may have problems with projects involving visualisation likes jokes better than comics

Kinasthetic Learning Style learns best by doing and through movement often good athletes speaks more slowly memorises by moving around, walking etc.. gestures a lot doesn’t mind clutter/mess in workspace using action words when speaking wants to act things out

What does this mean for learning and memorising? There are different ways to learn We naturally prefer different ways because certain ways work best for us We need to try out different strategies and see which one works best We can, over time, develop our skills to be able to use a variety of strategies

3 methods to try! Rings a bell Walking on words Computer is teacher 1.Eliminate words you already know (LCSWC) 2.Take the remaining words and record them (or just say them) over and over, thinking about the meaning as you do so. 3.Keep testing each other, first from Spanish into English and then the more challenging way. 1.One student calls out the Spanish word and another steps onto the correct word, repeats it and says what the English is. 2.Once all these are known from Spanish to English, students turn the sheets over and try again with only first letter prompt. As they step onto the card they have to say the correct word. 1.Look at list and eliminate words you already know (look, say, write, check) 2.Take the remaining words and go to Enter your words and use the software to learn – try both Spanish to English but then the other way around

Plenary What was your method? How well did it work for you? How do you know? What type of learning style does this method involve? What do you think would make your learning more successful next time?