Science of learning and memory - Room 8

​

​Science of Learning and Memory

​By: Evah Shaji

​According to research, if you really want new material to stick, the best way to study is something called "distributed practice." That means that if you want to master a new concept, your best bet is to study hard for a short period of time, take a break, and then have another go at it, spreading intense bursts of learning over a long period of time.

​The research (Willis, J. 2008) shows that different media stimulate different parts of the brain. The more areas of the brain that are activated, the more likely it is that you’ll understand and retain the information.^[1]

​​Learn the same information in a variety of ways.

​

​Review the information periodically, instead of cramming.

​​Periodic Review

​

​​Pomodoro Technique

​

​If you get to choose where you sit during class, grab a seat at the front. Studies show that students who sit at the front tend to get higher exam scores

​Multitasking makes you less productive, more distracted, and dumber.

​​Don’t multitask

​

​Take notes by hand, instead of using your laptop.

​​Take notes by hand,

​

​​Sit at the front of the class.

​

​Pomodoro Technique

1. Set a timer for 25 minutes, and start your task. It doesn’t have to be a tomato timer.

2. If a distraction pops into your head, write it down on a piece of paper and return to your task.

3. When the buzzer rings, put a check mark on your paper. You’ve completed one increment, also known as a pomodoro.

4. Take a five minute break. You can check the distractions that popped into your head, stretch, grab a cup of tea etc.

5. After four pomodoros, take a thirty-minute break.

6. Repeat!

​Learn the same information in a variety of ways.

To learn a specific topic, you could do the following:

• Read the class notes

• Read the textbook

• Watch a Khan Academy video

• Look up other online resources

• Create a mind map

• Teach someone what you’ve learned

• Do practice problems from a variety of sources

Of course, you won’t be able to do all of these things in one sitting. But each time you review the topic, use a different resource or method – you’ll learn faster this way

​Periodic review

Periodic review is essential if you want to move information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. This will help you get better exam grades.

As the research (Cepeda, N. 2008) shows, periodic review beats cramming hands-down.

The optimal review interval varies, depending on how long you want to retain the information. Here's an example:

• 1st review: 1 day after learning the new information

• 2nd review: 3 days after the 1st review

• 3rd review: 7 days after the 2nd review

• 4th review: 21 days after the 3rd review

• 5th review: 30 days after the 4th review

• 6th review: 45 days after the 5th review

• 7th review: 60 days after the 6th review

​Sit at the front of the class.

If you get to choose where you sit during class, grab a seat at the front. Studies show that students who sit at the front tend to get higher exam scores (Rennels & Chaudhari, 1988). The average scores of students, depending on where they sat in class, are as follows (Giles, 1982):

• Front rows: 80%

• Middle rows: 71.6%

• Back rows: 68.1%

These findings were obtained under conditions where the seating positions were teacher-assigned. This means it’s not just a case of the more motivated students choosing to sit at the front, and the less motivated students choosing to sit at the back.

By sitting at the front, you’ll be able to see the board and hear the teacher more clearly, and your concentration will improve too.

​Don't Multitask

The data is conclusive: Multitasking makes you less productive, more distracted, and dumber.The studies even show that people who claim to be good at multitasking aren’t actually better at it than the average person.

Effective students focus on just one thing at a time. So don’t try to study while also intermittently replying to text messages, watching TV, and checking your Twitter feed.

Here are some suggestions for how to study smart by improving your concentration:

• Turn off notifications on your phone

• Put your phone away, or turn it to airplane mode

• Log out of all instant messaging programs

• Turn off the Internet access on your computer

• Use an app like Freedom

• Close all of your Internet browser windows that aren’t related to the assignment you’re working on

• Clear the clutter from your study area

​Take notes by hand, instead of using your laptop.

If you want to learn how to study efficiently, write your notes by hand.

Scientists recommend this, and not just because you’re more likely to give in to online distractions when using your laptop. Even when laptops are used only for note-taking, learning is less effective (Mueller, P. 2013).

​Why?

​Because students who take notes by hand tend to process and reframe the information.

In contrast, laptop note-takers tend to write down what the teacher says word-for-word, without first processing the information.

As such, students who take notes by hand perform better in tests and exams.

Using an efficient note-taking strategy will reduce the amount of time you need to invest to achieve the same (or better) result.

Open Ended

These are not the only ways to study effectively. Write down the other ways we can study and remember effectively.

Match

Match the following:

• Pomodoro

• Periodic Review

• Don’t multitask

• Write notes by hand

"distributed practice."

moves information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory

focus on just one thing at a time

to process and reframe the information

• "distributed practice."

• moves information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory

• focus on just one thing at a time

• to process and reframe the information

​Thank you

Hope you follow the techniques