Are you Mr./Ms. forgetful?

Are you Mr./Ms. Forgetful?
Exploring how our memory works

I’ve always been interested in how the mind and memory works. It was so fascinating to learn how the mind processes so much information. What is almost weird is that the mind goes through this process and yet we just live our lives like normal, without ever realizing that this is all going on.

Memorizing information has always been an important part of my life. From memorizing my lines for a theatrical play to memorizing music for a performance in a piano recital, I now have a way of checking how my mind is memorizing all the information. Also, even though playing the piano uses mostly motor memory, it is still connected to the information processing theory. Information of any kind, whether learning what notes to play, to memorizing, and learning theories for class, is all done through this process. What really amazed me the most about these processes is that our mind only memorizes 7 bits of unrelated information for short term memory and also that we only remember about 20 to 25 percent of information that is presented in class (if we do not constantly review it to try and retain up to 90 percent). After learning this information, I am now dedicated to making sure I go over my notes from class every day during dinner to make sure that I won’t forget it and so the information will likely stay so I can use it when I’m teaching, but also for the final exam.

I know the information is already interesting enough, but Dr. Dengting really makes it all enjoyable to learn. Her teaching style is fun and engaging. I can’t wait to go to class tomorrow and see what we’re going to learn. It’s fun to go through the different kinds of activities to make sure the information is learned, like the skits we did yesterday. It was an extremely fun exercise, and because of it, I still remember the information we presented. It’s a good pedagogical technique. Thanks for the great opportunities to learn in unique and fun ways, Dr. Dengting!
-A.L.

Today was such an interesting day. We learned about the Information Process Learning Theory. I have always been fascinated about how our brain processes information. Whatever is not being used or may not seem too important the brain pushes it out of the way to make room for something that might be of more importance.

I think it is interesting how there are three parts our memory has to process through. I think it is very interesting how sensory register works. If you don’t have much interest in what you are taking in, it’s before you can realize it was there. In order for the information to process to the next stage, you must hold it in longer then those three seconds.

The next process in also very interesting, it’s called Short term memory. This is where only seven bulks of information can be processed at a time. The example we used in class was trying to remember our partner’s phone number. My partner was Martha, and her number was 548-0066. I was able to remember her number for the first time she told it to me.

The last process is called Long term memory. This is where the brain can process information which would be permanent. The amount of information that can be stored in this section is unlimited. This section is what fascinated me the most.
I think it is amazing how a person’s brain being a certain size can withhold so much information. Not to mention it also allows us to move, talk, see, breathe, and live. That is just so mind-blowing. (Annabel Esparza, June 17, 2008)

I was convinced by yesterday’s discussion about the mind and memory-I went over the material with A.L. immediately after class over dinner. We went over the class notes and read from the book. We also brainstormed about the theories and about different scenarios to apply the new information to. We also used the theories to relate them to current situations that we are experiencing. It was a very intellectually stimulating study session-it was actually fun! I’m glad we went over the information because the social cognitive learning theory was a bit hazy.

Now, we will study every day after class. It was fun to discuss these theories and how we will apply them as future educators. (Ruben Rincon, Jr.)

Then we go over the memory. Sensory register, short-term memory and long-term memory. I once read somewhere that if we could control and retrieve from our sensory memory we would actually remember the license plate number of the first car we saw. That’s some crazy stuff. Just a side note when you were talking about splitting up Vygotsky I did the same thing. When I was younger I couldn’t for the life of me spell together. Until the day I split it up TO GET HER (together). (Vero Gene Frady)