MEMORY AID

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MEANI NG
MNEMONICS are devices to help us remember (aide memoireormemory aide). They come in many varieties and flavors, and can aid memorization of many types of information.

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Mnemonics (memory aids) are useful because they can help us to "file" memories in such a way that it is easy to "find" them later on. There are lots of different ways to do this.

USEFULLN ESS

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There is a widely accepted theory - proposed by psychologist George A Miller in the 1950s - that the short-term memory of humans seems capable of retaining approximately seven units of information (give or take a couple). Hence, if we want to remember more than that - and we invariably do - we need to find a way to help our brains. One method is to sub-group units of information (into groups of 7 or less) and to relate each of these to an overarching group-theme. Once we recognize how the brain works by making links and connections between new stuff and existing stuff - we can aid recall by "helping our brains" to make those links and connections in a deliberate way.
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ACRONY MS
(Linguistic)
Using the first letters of important or "key"-words to make a word or sentence is a useful way to remember large amounts of information. This is a useful exercise which students will be able to apply to help develop enhanced memory skills.

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Having learned 20 locations on your body, you can use these as "pegs" on which to "hang" the things you need to remember. The principle of the system is that you "attach" onekey-wordto each bodypeg in turn (preferably with a memorable action). When you need to recall your list of key-words, your body (and the actions you have associated with each key-word) acts as a memoryaid.

(Physical)

BODYPEGS

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(Visual & logical)

Information is located on a diagram in such a way that its spatial location represents its relationship to each of the other parts of the diagram.

CONCEPT MAPS

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DISCUSSI ON
(Linguistic)
Talking about ideas and issues (instead of merely hearing or reading about them) helps to make them more memorable.

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JOURNEYS
(Spatial & physical)
Key points along a wellknown journey are used as locations for "storing" items of information.

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PERSONALISAT ION
(Interpersonal)
It is sometimes easier to remember information if it has been linked to specific people that we know.

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DIAGRAMS & PICTURES

(Visual)
Often, the brain finds it easier to remember visual images rather than lengthy explanations or lists.

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MINDMAP S
Information is represented on a diagram that starts with the most important facts and radiates outwards to include greater detail - organized by means of links. This is a very effective way of representing large amounts of information in an attractive, easilyremembered way. You may have used "spider diagrams" - which are very similar.

(Visualspatial)

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RHYMES & RAPS

(Linguistic & musical)
The metrical form of poetry can sometimes aid recall.

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Songs can provide a remarkable vehicle for remembering all sorts of information and could well repay the amount of effort required to compose them. As well as using mood music, there are other ways in which we can harness the potential of music as a medium for enhancing the effectiveness of learning. Many of us have no doubt been surprised by our own ability to recall lyrics of songs that we have not heard for many years; our memories apparently being stimulated by the musical association.

SONG S
(Musical )

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LOCATIO NS
(Spatial)
Specific locations within a well-known room are used to "store" the information you need to recall.

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INTERNALISATI ON
(Intrapersonal)
Imagining yourself as a participant or as "a part" of the information to be learned can be a beneficial technique for some.

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