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 CDL's Memory PageMemory is generally defined as the processes of encoding, storing and retrieving information. These three processes interact with different memory systems. The memory systems that appear to be most important in the educational area are short-term memory, working memory and long-term memory. • Short-term memory is a very brief memory store. Information is held in short-term memory for approximately 30 seconds to two minutes. The amount of information that can be held in short-term memory also is relatively small (approximately seven plus or minus two "chunks" of information, or the number of digits in most telephone numbers). • Working memory is the dynamic and active aspect of short-term memory. It has been referred to as our "cognitive counter space" and involves holding all of the parts of a task in mind while completing the task. For example, when we are following a series of three directions that someone has given us, we must remember the second and third direction while carrying out the first. If you have ever gone to your closet to get your jogging shoes and forgot what you wanted when you got to your closet, you have experienced a breakdown in working memory. Working memory is required for a multitude of tasks in school and in life. • Long-term memory is considered to be relatively permanent storage of information that is vast in size. Long-term memory involves both storing information and retrieving information when it is wanted or needed. The memory demands for school and college-age students are tremendous. Students are constantly bombarded with new information that they are expected to learn relatively quickly. Thus, the assessment of memory is a critical component of a student's learning profile and should be included in a neurodevelopmental or psychoeducational evaluation. Would you like to know more about Memory? |
Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas
