Mnemonic Awareness

Which is the real penny? Whatever one is worth one cent of course. The cognitive theory materials are really making me think (and if the theory is correct I should have the capacity to do so). In one of the materials, it said "Learning results when information is stored in long term memory in an organized, meaningful way. Forgetting is the inability to retrieve information because of memory loss, inference, missing cues, inadequate cues, etc."

As a learner in high school, memory was my saving grace. Despite the fact that I studied a bit (not as much as I could have or should have) memorizing was what saved me. Memorizing bits of information and regurgitating it on an assessment might get the good grade, but it doesn't mean that the learner has truly synthesized the information. When it has been applied by the learner, it is clear that it has been learned.

Another item that hit home was the use of mnemonic devices. Strategies like "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" and "My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles" served me very well in my academic journeys. The fact that I still remember them to this day is a testament to the power of such devices, but I must questions whether memorization truly is learning, or is it a pathway or resource to learning.

Before I begin a math, social studies or science lesson (those are the vocabulary heavy subjects to me), I begin with relevant vocabulary. Instead of handing out the vocabulary premade or simply reading it from a book, I have the students read it and record it themselves. My hope is that they will understand, internalize and memorize the vocabulary and the concepts that will be explored. Of course we revisit the material throughout the lesson and through subsequent lessons, but I think that the initial plant makes a difference in how it is presented.

So what does this all mean to the learner? Activating prior knowledge is something that we as teacher depend on every day. One skill is most often built on another, and without that foundation it will surely be more difficult. There is much to be said about familiarity. it eases anxiety and increases comfort. Memorization aids that, but for information to be really 'learned' it must be more than just memorized.