Using mnemonic devices
Humans are always finding ways of becoming efficient in every aspect of their lives. We tend to look for shortcuts to help us remember content that we can chunk into recognizable patterns. Mnemonic devices are just a simple way of shortening a concept to be learned or making it recognizable to facilitate the retaining of that concept as declarative knowledge. Mnemonic devices have shown to be effective in all subject areas. Examples such as, MVEMSJNUP, to remember the order of planets in the solar system and King Phil Came Over for Good Spaghetti to remember the classification of organisms in Science are just a few that are tried and true. Mnemonic devices coupled with personalization of lessons and a hint of humor allows the learners to feel closeness to the learning environment that will allow them to show accountability and dedication to learning. —Raul Gracia February 26, 2008, EDCI 6304
A mnemonic device is a method used by teachers for students to remember large amounts of information. In other words, it is a memory aide to help them remember. These devices can be used to remember biology terminology, remembering phone numbers, geography and other information. For example, they can even be used to help students remember words that are difficult to spell such as rhythm. Students would remember this word by the mnemonic of Rhythm helps your two hips move. For students to remember the order of taxonomy in biology the phrase Kids Prefer Cake Over Fresh Green Spinach can be used. These letters represent Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species.— Emily Fierros, February 27, 2008, EDCI 6304
The effectiveness of using mnemonic devices will not only enhance student learning but will also motivate the students to learn the information and retain it. With mnemonic devices you can present a really long lesson into a short but meaningful lesson. Some students need humor or a simple version such as an acronym to remember information. —Nora Lamas February 27, 2008, EDCI 6304
I liked that in addition to each person stating his or her name, the person also shared a way of memorizing it. The mnemonic devices that we shared really made it a lot easier to memorize. I had played the game before in other classes, but it was really hard to keep track of everyone’s name since there was nothing to relate their name to. Today, however, I did not struggle at all to remember the different names.—Eldon Clark, Jan 14, 2008, EDCI 4322-60
The use of mnemonic devices has even helped me explain the lesson better. I feel that by remembering a song or phrase learning will be easy. Students sometimes state that what is being covered is hard. I always say make a connection to what we are learning. For example if I am asking them to remember the planets a mnemonic device they can use is remembering the phrase My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos. When they say the phrase, all I see is their smiles. When I see their smiles then I know that they have made their learning process a little easier. —Aracelie Gutierrez, Jan 29, 2008, EDCI 6304
To read more on easier learning:
Greetings from the Editor/Instructor
Easier learning: Introduction
Easier learning: Instructional strategies-I
Easier learning: Instructional strategies-II
Easier learning: Instructional strategies-III
Easier learning: Instructional strategies-VI
Easier learning: Instructional strategies-V
Easier learning: Instructional strategies-VI
Easier learning: Instructional strategies-VII
Easier learning: Instructional strategies-VIII
Easier learning: Instructional strategies-IX
Easier learning: Instructional strategies-X
Easier learning: Teacher factors
Easier learing: Be a strategic learner
0 comments:
Post a Comment