Memory Needs Every Method Of Nurturing Its Capacity

Zee Faulk (6)

10/7/2014

Texas State - SPED 5326 Dr. Duchaine

Mnemonic
Instructional strategy designed
to help students improve their
memory of important
information. It can be
modified to fit a variety of
learning content and
enhances memory of
complex words or ideas and
promotes better retention of
material to be learned in a
variety of content areas
including elementary and
secondary science, social
studies, reading and
vocabulary. It is especially
beneficial to LD students and

retain information. This

technique connects new
learning to prior knowledge
through the use of visual
and/or acoustic cues. The
basic types of mnemonic
strategies rely on the use of
key words, rhyming words, or
acronyms. Teachers may
develop mnemonic
strategies or have students
come up with their own, but
research showed to be more
effective when supplied to
the student and that the
increase of use decreases

Techniques to Improve Memory

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
6.

ESL students since it helps

them remember foreign
language vocabulary and

Designing
Mnemonics
The three fundamental principles
are imagination, association and
location. Imagination: the more
strongly you imagine the situation
the more effectively youll
remember. Association: you tie
an item to be remembered to a
way of remembering it. You can
create associations by placing
things on top of each other;
crashing things together; merging

effectiveness, according to
Miller Gerald (1967).
7.

images together; wrapping

them around each other;
rotating them around each
other or having them dancing
together; linking them using the
same color, smell, shape, or
feeling. Location: you can
place information so that it
hangs together, and a way of
separating one mnemonic
from another, i.e., imagine
placing the items you want to
remember in specific locations
in a room with which you are
familiar.

8.

Use positive, pleasant

images. Your brain often
blocks out unpleasant
ones.
Use vivid, colorful, senseladen images these are
easier to remember than
drab ones.
Use all your senses to code
information or dress up an
image. Remember that
your mnemonic can
contain sounds, smells,
tastes, touch, movements
and feelings as well as
pictures.
Give your image three
dimensions, movement
and space to make it
more vivid. You can use
movement either to
maintain the flow of
association, or to help you
to remember actions.
Exaggerate the size of
important parts of the
image.
Use humor! Funny or
peculiar things are easier
to remember than normal
ones.
Similarly, rude rhymes are
very difficult to forget!
Symbols (red traffic lights,
pointing fingers, road
signs, etc.) can code quite
complex messages quickly
and effectively.

Links:
http://mnemonicdictionary.com/
http://www.fun-withwords.com/mnemonics.html
http://www.mindtools.com/memor
y.html
http://www.adlit.org/strategies/227
32/
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/
quiz315985242cb00.html

References

Ode or Rhyme
Music
:
ABCsong, 50 Nifty United States
Name
Note Organization

Expression or Word

Image

Spelling

Model

Beckman, P., & ERIC Clearinghouse

on Disabilities and Gifted
Education, A. A. (2002).
Strategy Instruction. ERIC
Digest.
Harris, M. L., Schumaker, J. B., &
Deshler, D. D. (2011). The
Effects of Strategic
Morphological Analysis
Instruction on the
Vocabulary Performance of
Secondary Students with
and without Disabilities.
Learning Disability Quarterly,
34(1), 17-33.
Scruggs, T. E., Mastropieri, M. A.,
Berkeley, S. L., & Marshak, L.
(2010). Mnemonic Strategies:
Evidence-Based Practice
and Practice-Based
Evidence. Intervention In
School And Clinic, 46(2), 7986.
Fontana, J. L., Scruggs, T., &
Mastropieri, M. A. (2007).
Mnemonic Strategy
Instruction in Inclusive
Secondary Social Studies
Classes. Remedial & Special
Education, 28(6), 345-355.
Miller, G. R., & Texas Western Coll., E.
o. (1967). An Evaluation of
the Effectiveness Of
Mnemonic Devices as Aids
to Study.

Mnemonics serve as an important role in memory, but should not use

excessively or might add confusion to the learning process.
Advantages of Using Mnemonics

Disadvantages of Using Mnemonics

1. They provide a memory link to help you remember

information that otherwise is difficult to remember.

1. They must be recited and practiced in a precise manner in

order to work correctly.

2. They involve reordering or reorganizing information, which

also helps you distinguish the information and be a more active
learner.

2. They require time to create, learn, and practice.

3. They add interest to studying by providing you with new ways

to work with information.

3. They can become "crutches" and can give you a false sense
of security that you know the information.

4. When used properly, they allow you to spend less time

retrieving information from your long-term memory.

4. They rely more on rote memory than on elaborative rehearsal,

so your actual understanding of the concepts may be
inadequate.
5. Overuse can result in confusion and an excessive expenditure
of time reviewing.