MEMORY AND LEARNING TECHNIQUES

How to store information in our memory

Add: attractiveness
emotions
fantasy (especially with ADHD students)

Learning Techniques

Mnemonics
Mnemonics are types of learning methods that help retain larger pieces of information
(words, phrases, sentences, set of numbers etc.).

Students who regularly use mnemonic devices increase test scores up to 77%.

There are many types of mnemonics and which works the best is up to individual
imagination of each learner.

9 BASIC TYPES OF MNEMONICS

1. Music mnemonics
Many learners make songs out of information which they have to learn. You can make a
song or jingle using any type of music you choose for any list of items. It works the best with
long lists.

Examples:
A common example is how children remember the alphabet by singing the ABC song. Other
children learn all the states (USA) in alphabetical order using the “50 Nifty United States”
song. (For lyrics see appendix I)

2. Name mnemonics
The first letter of each word is combined into a new word.

Examples:
A) ROY G BIV - for the colours of the rainbow (spectrum) – Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue,
Indigo, Violet.

B) HOMES for the Great Lakes of America - Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior.

3. Expression or word mnemonics

This is by far the most popularly used mnemonic. The first letter of each word is combined to
form a phrase, sentence or a word. This method can be applied in any kind of study (Physics,
English, Math, Biology, Media etc.)

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Examples:
In English the 7 coordinating conjunctions are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So = FANBOYS.

In Math – the order of operations for math is Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply, Divide, Add,
and Subtract = PLEASE EXCUSE MY DEAR AUNT SALLY.

4. Model mnemonics
A model is used to help recall information.
There are various types of models, for example:
- a circular sequence model

• a pyramid model of stages

• a pie chart

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• a mind map

Mind map is supposed to be one of the best tools used for better learning. They are
graphic processing imitations of processes in the brain and are designed so that the
brain uses the maximum of its abilities.

“It is a diagram used to visually organize information. A mind map is often created
around a single concept, drawn as an image in the centre of a blank landscape page,
to which associated representations of ideas such as images, words and parts of
words are added. Major ideas are connected directly to the central concept, and
other ideas branch out from those.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map)

Advantages and disadvantages of mind mapping

The main advantage of mind mapping is mainly the fact that thanks to it, we learn
better and remember more. It clearly depicts the details and it allows the brain to
perceive the issue comprehensively.

The main disadvantages are not allowing adding more text into the existing mind
map. The mind map is usually centred on only one topic. Furthermore, it is not
always easy to fully understand somebody else’s map. This technique especially suits
people with a visual type of memory (90% of the population). However, it
discriminates auditory, communicative and motor type of memory. Lastly, not all
existing topics can appear hierarchically, therefore, mind map cannot be used.

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5. Ode or rhyme mnemonics
The information needed to remember is placed into a poem.

Examples:
A) A commonly used rhyme mnemonic for the number of days in each month:

30 days hath September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31, except for February
which has 28 or 29 in each leap year.

There are about 90 variations of this poem (http://leapyearday.com/content/days-month-

poem) and you can also find it on www.youtube.com.

B) A rhyme: In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

6. Note organization mnemonics

The method of note organization can be used as a memorization technique. The way
textbooks and lecture notes are organized can inhibit learning and recall or promote it.

A) Notecards
They are easy ways to organize main ideas and relevant details to be recalled. The best
option is to write a possible test question on one side and the answer on the other side.

When there is a need to have more topics covered, it is advisable to separate them
according to the topics. Great thing is to use different colour notecards for different topics.

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B) Outlines
Outlines clearly separate main ideas from details. This helps organize the information in the
mind making it easier to remember.

STORY BUILDING
I. Writing Process (Building a House)
A. Prewriting (Create a Blueprint)
1. Consider your audience
a. Length
b. Reading level
c. Subject
d. Main character
B. Story components
1. Setting
2. Main characters……Etc.

C) Cornell system
The Cornel system is another way to use a note organization mnemonic to promote recall. A
vertical line is drawn 6cms from the left margin of notebook paper. Main ideas or questions
from them are placed to the left of the line and details or answers placed to the right with
summary at the bottom.

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7. Image mnemonics
The information is constructed into the form of a picture. The sillier the picture is, the easier
it is to recall the related information. These images may be mental or sketched into texts and
lecture notes. Your artistic skills are not important as long as you know what your sketch
means.

Examples:
A) Drawing a sketch: To remember periodic table – Fr = francium

B) Picture sth. in your mind: Picture meeting someone new at a party named John Horsley.
Use an image mnemonic to help you remember his name. Visualize a horse sitting on John:
not pretty but effective in recall.

8. Connection mnemonics
New knowledge is connected to knowledge already known.

Examples:
A) Remembering the direction of longitude and latitude is easier to do when you realize that
lines on a globe that run North and South are long and that coincides with LONGitude.
Another connection mnemonics points out that there is an N in LONGitude and N in North.
Latitude lines must run east to west, then. There is no N in latitude.

B) Another connection mnemonic is related to sound. The 1st part of the word latitude
sounds like flat and flat runs horizontal or East and West.

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9. Spelling mnemonics
Examples:

A) A principal at a school is your pal, and a principle you believe or follow is a rule.

B) Other spelling mnemonics are usually combined with other mnemonics:

Spelling + Rhyme/Ode mnemonic:
I before e except after c
or when sounding like a
in neighbour and weigh

Spelling + rhythm mnemonic: M-iss-iss-ipp-i

Other types:
GEOGRAPHY: George Edwards Old Grandma Rode A Pig Home Yesterday
SASKATCHEWAN: Ask At Chew An with an S in front of it.

TIP: Easy way to remember 9 basic types of mnemonics:

Take the 1st letter of each type of mnemonic listed above and write them below on the
line….

___________________________________________

The topic used is from Student Academic Resource Centre of University of Central Florida.

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OTHER MNEMONIC SYSTEMS
There are other mnemonic systems that are worth knowing about. These include Major
system and method of LOCI.

Major system
Major system is the star of the memory techniques. Besides the possibility to store a huge
amount of information it is used mainly to remember numbers. Numbers are elusive for our
memory, so the numbers from 0 to 100 are replaced by images. It's not just random
pictures; the entire major system adheres to clear rules.

The system works by converting numbers into consonant sounds, then into words by adding
vowels. Each numeral is associated with one or more consonants. Vowels and the
consonants w, h, and y are ignored. These can be used as "fillers" to make sensible words
from the resulting consonant sequences.

The only thing a learner has to do is to memorize which numbers are associated with which
letters and a good tip is to have a small database of words (images) that he/she could use.

How to use the system:

To create images first you need to replace the numbers from 0 to 9 with consonants, which
we complete with vowels and it will create keywords = our pictures. The pictures are usually
nouns that are easy to imagine. Keywords for the numbers 1 to 10 are always monosyllabic;
the others up to 100 are two-syllable ones.

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Now you need to create keywords from 1 to 100, which are being used as part of your major
system.

When choosing the right words sometimes you get a connection that is not so easy to
create, because the combination of consonants is not ideal. This way you can make your
system of 100 keywords. You can also use already made concepts. Here is an example of
one. You can find another one in Appendix II.

1-digit numbers
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
noun hose hat hen home arrow whale shoe cow hoof pie
verb sew hate know aim row heal chew hook view buy
adjective easy hot new yummy hairy oily itchy gay heavy happy

2 - digit numbers
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
noun daisy tattoo tuna dome diary tail dish dog dove tuba
verb tease edit widen time draw tell teach take defy type
adjective dizzy tight wooden tame dry tall whitish thick deaf deep

See the rest of the table in Appendix II

The Major System can be combined with a peg system for remembering lists, and is
sometimes used also as a method of generating the pegs. It can also be combined with other
memory techniques such as rhyming, substitute words, or the method of loci. Repetition and
concentration using the ordinary memory is still required.

An advantage of the major system is that it is possible to use a computer to automatically

translate the number into a set of words. One can then pick the best of several alternatives.
Such programmes include "Numzi" "Rememberg" "Fonbee",the freeware "2Know" and the
website "pinfruit".

Example:
To remember a number 101417
First divide the number into 10,14,17 – then create a sentence, you can use the chart from
Wikipedia.

Daisy drew a dog. = 101417

10 – Daisy
14 – draw (You can change the tenses in verbs).
17 – a dog

You can use this method as you wish but dividing long numbers into chunks is the way.

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Method of LOCI

Roman Loci system or method of storage paths (also called memory palace or mind palace)
is one of the most brilliant memory techniques of all. The basis of this system is to create a
kind of memory path with a number of logically-arranged points. The points of our way will
help us remember information. A lot of memory contest champions claim to use this
technique to recall faces, digits, and lists of words.

Paths can be created anywhere, at home, on the way to work, at a cottage, on holiday or just
in your imagination.

Example:
Create a memory tour of your flat/house.

1) First you need to create the journey (the points). The first point will be the front door,
then the coat hanger next to it, a bit further a mirror, then you will walk around the
wardrobe, you will enter the living room where your next point will be the armchair, a lamp
standing next to it and the last point will be the sofa.

2) You need to go through the journey (the points) a couple times in your imagination (your
mind) to remember how the points go after each other.

3) Suppose you need to remember what you have to arrange before leaving on holiday:

• vaccination against hepatitis

• purchase tickets
• change money
• go to the dentist
• buy sun cream
• buy sunglasses
• get new swimsuit

• To remember that you need to be vaccinated - you join your first point, door,
with vaccination. You can imagine how you throw a syringe at the door as if it was
an arrow. (If you would like to reinforce the fact that you need a vaccination
against hepatitis, you may have to think of throwing a yellow colour at the door
or throwing yolks at it).
• The next point, a coat hanger, could be connected with small models of airplanes
that are flying around the hooks; after all you have to remember that you need to
purchase tickets.
• You can visualize third point, the mirror, full of banknotes attached to it and put
around the frame so that you almost cannot see yourself.
• You hear the annoying sound of a drill, and when you open the wardrobe’s door,
you see your dentist, who has made his office out of your wardrobe.

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 • In the living room you want to sit in the armchair, but you slide down. It is
covered with a sunscreen.
• Next to the armchair is the lamp which has hundreds of sunglasses hanging on it
and they are shading the light.
• Lastly, you want to sit on the leather sofa but it is covered with wet swimsuits
therefore, you have to sit on wet sofa.

In the end you should go through the journey once more and you should try to imagine it as
much vividly as possible. It will help to use all your senses, imagine colours, smells, noises,
sounds and movements in the room.

Application: Storage path will allow you to save unlimited number of things in your memory.
It is good to try to create multiple storage paths and practise creating associations. When
you have gained some experience it’s possible to use the storage (memory paths for more
complex information, e.g. for presentations, arguments, lists, graduation state examinations
or tests.

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 MY PERSONAL FAVOURITE MNEMONIC TECHNIQUES FOR REMEMBERING
NUMBERS
A sentence with a rhyme
The point of this method (when trying to remember numbers) is to create a helping
sentence through which you can remember complex information.

Example:
1) To remember the number π (Pi number – mathematical constant): 3,1415926
Create a sentence that will help you recall it.
Choose words that have the same amount of letters as are in each number.

I will show it on a Czech example. Don’t forget that when there is a rhyme involved a
person’s memory works better.

Lín a kapr u hráze prohlédli si rybáře.

3 1 4 1 5 9 2 6

Another system that I like is creating stories, in which I use numbers that I need to learn/
remember.

Example:

1) To remember this 20 digit number: 67930281527746283951.

Divide this long number into chunks (best way is to have 1, 2, 3 or 4 digit numbers).
The division in completely up to you how you see it fit.

- I divided it like this: 67,930,2815,277,462,83,95,1

- After you divide it, create a story where you will use each of these numbers: this
is my story:

67 flying horses were seen to fly 930kms in the year 2815 and therefore, people
came to a conclusion that the whole number of living flying horses is not 277 but the
number is close to 462 so the 83 scientist that have been working on the research
will be sacked and 95 new ones will be employed to create 1 new study.

- Last step is to tell the story aloud or in your mind couple times and you will be
able to remember it.

This system (creating stories) makes you store the information in your long term memory. I
have personally tried it and it works. I can still recall the whole story (with the numbers)
after couple months from when I learned it.
GOOD LUCK

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APPENDIX I
Fifty Nifty United States
Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies;

Fifty nifty stars in the flag that billows so beautifully in the breeze.

Each individual state contributes a quality that is great.

Each individual state deserves a bow, we salute them now.

Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies,

Shout 'em, scout 'em, Tell all about 'em,

One by one till we've given a day to every state in the U.S.A.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut;

Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana;

Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan;

Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada;

New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,

North Dakota, Ohio;

Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas;

Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming,

Al -a -o ming.

North, south, east, west, in our calm, objective opinion,

(name of home state) is the best of the

Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies,

Shout 'em, scout 'em, Tell all about 'em,

One by one till we've given a day to every state in the good old U. S. A.

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APPENDIX II

MAJOR SYSTEM - Example words

1-digit pegs

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

noun hose hat hen home arrow whale shoe cow hoof pie

verb sew hate know aim row heal chew hook view buy

adjective easy hot new yummy hairy oily itchy gay heavy happy

2-digit pegs

00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

noun sauce seed sun sumo sierra soil sewage sky sofa soap

verb assess swat assign assume sorrow sell switch soak save sob

adjective sissy sad snowy awesome sorry slow swishy sick savvy tape

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

noun daisy tattoo tuna dome diary tail dish dog dove tuba

verb tease edit widen time draw tell teach take defy type

adjective dizzy tight wooden tame dry tall whitish thick deaf deep

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

noun nose net onion enemy winery nail nacho neck knife honeybee

verb ionize unite nanny name honour inhale enjoy knock envy nab

adjective noisy neat neon numb narrow annual nudgy naggy naïve wannabe

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

noun mouse meadow moon mummy emery mole match mug movie map

verb amuse meet mine mime marry mail mash mock move mop

adjective messy mute mean mum merry male mushy mucky mauve wimpy

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 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

noun rice road urine rum aurora railway roach rag roof rope

verb erase read ruin ram rear rule reach rake arrive wrap

adjective rosy ready runny haram rare royal rich rocky rough ripe

50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59

noun louse lady lion lime lorry lily leech leg lava lip

verb lose tell align loom lure lull latch lick love help

adjective lazy elite alien lame leery loyal yellowish lucky leafy loopy

60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69

noun cheese cheetah chin gem shrew chilli cha-cha chick chef jeep

verb chase cheat chain jam jury chill judge check achieve chop

adjective choosy chatty shiny sham cherry jolly Jewish shaky chief cheap

70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79

noun goose cat coin game crow clay cage cake cave cube

verb kiss quote weaken comb carry kill coach cook give copy

adjective cosy good keen gummy grey cool catchy quick goofy agape

80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89

noun vase video fan ovum fairy fool veggie fig fife vibe

verb fuse fight fine fume fry fly fetch fake viva fob

adjective fussy fat funny foamy furry foul fishy foggy fave fab

90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

noun boss bead pony puma berry bell pouch bike beef pipe

verb oppose bite ban bomb bury peel patch poke pave pop

adjective busy bad bony balmy pro blue bushy back puffy baby

The chart is taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_major_system

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Another 100 WORD BANK

THE MAJOR SYSTEM PEG WORDS

1 Tie 23 Nemo 45 Rail 67 Jug 89 Fob

2 Noah 24 Nero 46 Ridge 68 Chef 90 Bus

3 Mo 25 Nail 47 Rake 69 Jeep 91 Bat

4 Ray 26 Niche 48 Roof 70 Case 92 Bin

5 Lee 27 Neck 49 Rope 71 Cat 93 Bomb

6 Ash 28 Knife 50 Lace 72 Caine 94 Bear

7 Key 29 Nib 51 Light 73 Comb 95 Bell

8 Fee 30 Mouse 52 Lion 74 Car 96 Badge

9 Bee 31 Mat 53 Lamb 75 Coal 97 Book

10 Toes 32 Mine 54 Lorry 76 Cage 98 Beef

11 Ted 33 Mime 55 Lulu 77 Cake 99 Baby

12 Tin 34 Mower 56 Latch 78 Cuff 0 Ozzy

13 Tomb 35 Mole 57 Lock 79 Cop 00 Zeus

14 Tyre 36 Match 58 Leaf 80 Fez 01 Suit

15 Doll 37 Mic 59 Lip 81 Fit 02 Swan

16 Dish 38 Movie 60 Cheese 82 Fan 03 Sumo

17 Tack 39 Mop 61 Jet 83 Foam 04 Zorro

18 Dove 40 Rose 62 Chain 84 Fire 05 Seal

19 Tape 41 Rat 63 Jam 85 File 06 Sash

20 Nose 42 Rain 64 Chair 86 Fish 07 Sock

21 Net 43 Ram 65 Gel 87 Fig 08 Sofa

22 Nun 44 Rower 66 Judge 88 Fife 09 Soap

This example of 100 words bank is taken from: http://www.real-memory-improvement.com/the-

major-system-peg-words.html

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