MODULE 5 (week 3)

Continuing from my previous blog (Module 4) this blog is titled ,

Memory, Improving Concentration & Reading System 


OVERVIEW

This topic on memory, improving concentration, and the reading system aims to enable students to understand the basic processes of memory, and apply the memory skills in their learning

MEMORY AND LEARNING 

In a nutshell , always do revision to make sure you always remember your studies

THE STORAGE (RETAIN INFORMATION)

Sensory memory- numerous incoming information from 5 senses will be stored in the sensory memory

Short-term / working memory- limited storage

Long-term memory- this is unlimited and large storage

WHY  ARE WE ALWAYS FORGETFUL ?

• Did not pay attention to the information 
• Did not understand the information 
• Cramming (last minute study) 
• Did not have good strategies 
• Interference (having 2 exams 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) 

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. (Reason: 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 distributed practice allows time for the information to consolidate in the long-term memory. Taking breaks between learning sessions allow you to think and organize the information. 

MEMORY STRATEGIES 

• 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. 
• Rehearsal– repeat the information many times. e.g. repeat a telephone number 10 times 
• Elaboration strategies: 
• -Associations - To associate, or "connect" each word or event with a person, place, thing,   feeling, or situation.
  -Acronyms / catchwords
  -Acrostics / catchphrases
  -Imagery – visualize the image of the information needed
  -Organizational strategies – organize the materials for example animals can be divided into 3     types which are mammals, reptiles, amphibians
  -Comprehension monitoring strategies - need to comprehend materials being read – SQ3R will   be a good strategy. 

Causes of poor concentration

• Lack of attention 
• Lack of interest 
• Lack of motivation 
• Distraction from others 
• Uncomfortable environment 
• Physiological matters – illness, tiredness 
• Psychological matters – personal problems, worries, anxieties 

STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE CONCENTRATION

• Use motivational and organizational strategies – create interest in the work, develop a positive attitude toward you work, use goal setting strategies, use time-management strategies 
• Create a positive learning environment – find a better location, reduce multitasking, minimize distractions 
• Deal with internal distractions – deal with personal problems, deal with competing activities, 
• Use active learning strategies (as discussed in improving memory) 
• Match your learning style to the task 
• Monitor your concentration 

WHAT IS SQ3R

*Survey 

*Question 

*Read 

*Recite

*Review 

When you SURVEY  LOOK AT:

• HEADINGS
• SUBHEADINGS
• TITLES
• CAPTIONS UNDER PICTURES
• CHARTS
• GRAPHS AND MAPS
• Bold vocabulary words
• Activate your prior knowledge
• Make connections

QUESTION?

WHILE YOU ARE SURVEYING

• Turn the title, headings, and subheadings into questions.
• Use who, what, when, where, why, and how to make questions.
• Read the questions at the end of the subheadings.
• Think about what you already know about the subject

WHEN YOU BEGIN TO READ

• Make up questions about the text.
• Look for answers to the questions you first thought about.
• Answer questions at the beginning or end of chapters or study guides.
• Reread captions under pictures, graphs 
• Note all the underlined, italicized, BOLD printed words or phrases

CONTINUE TO READ

• Study graphic aids
• Reduce your speed for difficult parts
• Stop and reread parts which are not clear
• Read only a section at a time and recite after each section

RECITE AFTER YOU’VE READ A SECTION

• Orally ask yourself questions about what you have just read or summarize in your own words
• Take notes from the text but write the information in our own words
• Underline or highlight important points you’ve just read

REVIEW : an ongoing process

• DAY ONE
• After you have read and recited the chapter, write questions in the margins for those points you have highlighted or underlined.
• If you took notes while reciting, write questions for the notes you have taken in the left hand margin of your notebook. 
• 
  
• DAY TWO
• Page through the text and/or your notebook to re-acquaint yourself with the important points.
• Cover the right hand column of your text/notebook and orally ask yourself the questions in the left hand margins.
• Orally recite or write the answers from memory.
• Make “flash cards” for those questions which give you difficulty.
• 
  
• REVIEW CONTINUED
• Alternate between your flash cards and notes and test yourself (orally or in writing) on the questions you formulated.
• 
  
• WEEKEND REVIEW
• Using your resources, make a Table of Contents-list all the topics and sub-topics you need to know from the chapter.
• From the Table of Content, make a study sheet/spatial map. 
• Recite the information orally and in your own words as you put the Study sheet/map together.

#SQ3R SUCCESS