0. How can I remember what I learned?
Memory Tools
How can I remember what I learned?

1. There are lots of ways you can help your brain remember so you can learn anything! Here are some...
Mnemonics: Mnemonics are memory devices that help learners recall larger pieces of information, especially in the form of lists like characteristics, steps, stages, parts, phases, etc.
We knew back in 1967 from a study by Gerald R. Miller that mnemonics increased recall. He found that students who regularly used mnemonic devices increased test scores up to 77%!
ROY G. BIV

2. Here are some other Mnemonic devices you might be familiar with...

3. The Chunking System
The Chunking System helps you memorize large amounts of information exactly as it is written. Perfect for memorizing your class notes and vocabulary for a new language.
Let’s try an example. To the right I have listed the names of 9 different animals. There is no pattern in the way they're listed, the only commonality is that they are all large complex organisms. Don’t try to memorize them; just take a quick look at what they are.
Peacock Dolphin Rabbit Crow
Salmon Dog Cat Tuna Pigeon

4. First categorize the 9 animals into some commonality
Rabbit Crow Dolphin
Cat Salmon Dog
Tuna Peacock Pigeon
The way you create order depends on the material. In this case, I decided to use a simple category method, PETS, BIRDS, FISH.
I could have listed them alphabetically, I could have categorized them by the number of letters in each word or I could have divided them into sea, land and air animals. It's totally up to you.

5. Once you have categorized the information, start memorizing “chunks” of it...
PETS BIRDS FISH
Rabbit Crow Dolphin
Cat Pigeon Salmon
Dog Peacock Tuna
Now memorize each chunk, only the pets, once you have them only the birds, then practice with the pets and birds, once you have them add the fish...It will really help you remember!

6. Repetition
The more something is repeated, the more likely children are to remember it. Repetition in a variety of forms also increases the likelihood of reaching children with different learning styles and provides a more comprehensive understanding of concepts.
Practice, practice, practice...want to learn a song, listen to it over and over again and sing with it, you will learn it quickly!
Using Flashcards and going over them again and again is an effective way to put information into your short term memory. This is used for studying for a test.

7. Conditioning...rewarding positive behavior helps you learn...
If you study for a test and you earn an “A” you are proud. You have been rewarded for your efforts. Positive rewards provides intrinsic motivation, to continue on with the behavior that provided you with the reward. Intrinsic motivation is what’s inside you that makes you want to succeed at something.
B.F. Skinner proved this with experiments using a pigeon. He “taught” the pigeons to display behavior he wanted by providing rewards to them when the animals displayed the correct behavior. He “conditioned” the animals how to act.

8. B.F. Skinner

9. It works with people too...

10. Discuss...
How did Leonard promote the behavior he wanted from Penny?

11. So in review… 3 tools to help you remember
Mnemonic devices (memorizing a song or word to help you remember lists)
Chunking information (looking for patterns)
Repetition (practicing over and over)
ALSO, Conditioning helps us by providing us with a positive reinforcement when we display desired behaviors (Studying for a test will give me an “A”, I want an “A” so I will study)

12. Personal examples
On a piece of paper, write down an example from your class assignments that could be used for each of the types of memory helps.
Subject
Memory tool
Assignment