Memory and Working Memory

An introduction

What have you forgotten?

40

What does the number 40 have to do with memory?Forgetting is normal

Why We Forget?Inattention -- distracted, poor encoding Suggestion -- we are influenced by other’s comments, ads or environmentMisattribution -- we assume that something belongs in a group Erosion -- weakened by inactivitySubject Bias -- prejudiced by false beliefsSubsequent recall-- we change our storyWordstruck-- tip of tongue/stressed

Relax…It

happens to

everybody

Types of MemorySPEWS

Semantic (fact memory)

Procedural (skill memory)

Episodic (episode memory)

Working (thinking memory)

Spatial (map memory)

But I want my

students to remember

what I teach

40

Answer these questions

Bananas live in the water: True or FalseFlowers smell nice: True or FalseDogs have four legs: True or False

NowWhat is the last word from each sentence, in order?

For memory we must:

3 Stages:EncodeStore Retrieve

Working Memory

Working Memory

Holds data in mind temporarily while the brain manipulates it.

"The Magical Number Seven, Plus or

Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing

Information"

George Miller, 1956

Working memory is a system for temporarily storing and managing the information required to carry out complex cognitive tasks such as learning, reasoning, and comprehension. Working memory is involved in the information-processing functions such as encoding and retrieving data.

Working Memory

Central ExecutiveThe central executive is a flexible system

responsible for the control and regulation of cognitive processes. It has the following functions:

binding information from a number of sources into coherent episodes

coordination of the slave systems (episodic buffer)

shifting between tasks or retrieval strategies

selective attention and inhibition

Phonological LoopThe phonological loop (or "articulatory loop") as a whole deals with sound or phonological information.

It consists of two parts: a short-term phonological store with auditory memory traces that are subject to rapid decay and an articulatory rehearsal component that can revive the memory traces.

Deals with spoken and written material

Visio-Spatial Sketchpad

The visuospatial sketchpad is assumed to hold information about what we see. It is used in the temporary storage and manipulation of spatial and visual information, such as remembering shapes and colors, or the location or speed of objects in space.

Episodic BufferLinks information to form units and time sequencing

Links the information to go to long term memory

Goal is to get the central executive working with other areas.

Math timeUse mental math: what is

11x15

Math TimeUse mental math

What is 137 x 624

KEYS TO WORKING MEMORYMental workspace to remember and

WORK with information

It is limited

Once information is gone it is gone forever

Many researchers claim it is the #1 predictor of academic success

So What?Neurons that fire together, wire together!

Classroom goal is to remember information – so we must make stronger connections.

Experience your neurons that are wired together

While sitting, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles

While doing this, draw the number 6 in the air with your right hand

What happened to your right foot?

1. It changed direction2. It slowed down3. It stopped rotating

• To change this neural pathway takes a ton of work. That’s how strong we make connections in the brain.

Use it or lose itPoint = make learning as strong as those neural pathways

What can we do in our classroom to make the same connections

Next WeekGoal of next week:

Pruning of memoriesLearn strategies to help students remember what you teachWhat does it look like when a child has a problem with working memoryDiscuss what might mask a working memory issue

I’m taking this class for credit

what do I have to do?

Non credit people feel free to join in the discussion

Next StepsIf you want, watch any video links to help understand memory.

Post at least 1 question and 1 comment in the forum.

Respond to at least one classmate (and no more than 3).

Reflect on how this impacts your teaching in 100 words or less