Top 10 Most Effective Learning Strategies 10. Imagery for text

What is memory?

Before we continue to delve into brain cells and connections, it is important to talk about Memory. Memory can be defined as the process of taking in information from the outside world, storing it in our brain, and later recalling the information to answer a task, solve a problem, make a decision and other responses. There are three basic stages in memory processing.
This diagram from Queen's University illustrate the three stages of memory processing.

Encoding

The first step involves the perception of things that happen around us. It is a selective process, as it is impossible for us to register everything that happens at all times. Some factors that facilitate encoding are emotional content, novelty, attention levels.

Consolidation

After an event is encoded, it may be consolidated. This happens via physical and chemical changes in our brain. These changes are called memory traces.

Retrieval

Retrieval is the actual act of remembering something. That is, bringing that information back to mind. We must access our stored information in order to respond to the world around us.

Reconsolidation

Every time we retrieve information, that memory trace becomes vulnerable and susceptible to further changes. This process can make memories weaker or stronger.

Types of memory

It is important to note that we have several types of memory. The distinction between working memory and long-term memory is fundamental to understand how cognitive sciences can be applied to teaching and learning.

Long-term memory

Long-term memory is our storage box. It can store unlimited information for an entire lifetime.

Working memory

Working memory is our processing unit, where we process and manipulate information to solve a problem. It has a very limited capacity.
We can think of working memory as a shoe box. It offers limited space and can break if you add too much to it. We can think of long-term memory as Mary Poppins’ bag. You can fit as much as you want there and still be able to walk (or fly!) around.