What did you eat yesterday? Can you remember what you ate the day before? How about the day before that? Is it easier or more difficult to remember details the farther back in time you go?
While it may not be necessary to remember what you eat every day, improving your memory so that you can remember details may affect other areas where memory is more important. Would it be useful to be able to remember the grocery list on your way home from work? Imagine recalling planned events without having to consult a calendar.
Short-term memory (STM) is limited and is prone to decay. In contrast, long-term memory (LTM) has nearly unlimitedand, according to scientists, permanentstorage capacity. You can help ensure the storage of memories in LTM by developing meaningful connections between new information and things that you already know. After practicing in the Exploratorium, be sure to try the strategies in your everyday life.
For this Application Assignment, you practice memory strategies covered in this week's readings.
To prepare for this Assignment:
- Before beginning the Exploratorium activity, review Chapter 7, "Memory," in the course text. Focus on strategies for improving short-term memory.
- http://www.exploratorium.edu/memory/dont_forget/index.html
- As you work your way through the exercises at the website "Don't Forget! Playing Games With Memory," note the following data:
- Record your score on "Memory Solitaire."
- Record your score on "Tell Yourself a Story."(Think back to the concepts in this week's readingwhere you learned about level of processing, recency,andchunking.)
- Note observations about your strategy on "Tell Yourself a Story." What type of story or set of connections did you devise? Did it help improve your memory? What applications do you see for this strategy?
- Record your score on "Wander Around Your House." How well did this trick work? What applications can you see for this method?
Write a 250- 300 words In which you evaluate the effectiveness of memory strategies demonstrated by the memory tasks. As part of your evaluation, describe the aspects of memory demonstrated by the memory tasks, include the data you collected, and evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies presented.