Memory: A Brief Overview

Memory is a fascinating subfunction of the brain that shapes our learning, experiences, and identity. At its core, memory involves three essential processes: encoding, storage, and retrieval. Dependent on the type of memory, various parts of the brain help facilitate this three-step process. Continue through this quick read to discover more about memory and how it impacts learning environments.

Types of Memory

Short-term memory

In this form, information relocated to the cortex from the thalamus is temporarily stored unless the brain acknowledges its importance to transform it into long-term memory. As a subcategory, immediate memory works subconsciously or consciously for less than one minute (Sousa, 2022). The second category is called working memory and is conducted mostly within the frontal lobes of the brain. This form of memory is strictly conscious and focuses on one small amount of information at a time (Sousa, 2022).

Considering the implications of short-term memory educators should carefully plan activities to best suit the needs of the learner. The time window of focus is small when working with short-term memory, so explicit instruction should be limited to an age-appropriate amount of time. Chunking information is also a key strategy when considering the process of short-term memory.

Long-term memory

Long-term memory is essential for various cognitive functions including learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and language comprehension. The process of storing and retrieving information can be broken down into subtypes as shown in Figure One. Neurons first encode memories in the cortex and hippocampus. Then, once a memory is recalled, it is re-encoded by additional neurons making the data stronger. Long-term memory explains how adults can solve quick math equations, recall past personal events, and drive to work in the morning without recalling each detail of the commute.

Figure One: Types of long-term memory

The various subtypes of long-term memory can be intimidating, but it is worth understanding when crafting valuable lessons for learners. Tailoring interactive activities to the explicit and implicit memory channels heightens the chance of learning retention. Encouraging the students to build conceptual frameworks results in creating long-term storage networks (Sousa, 2022).

While there are many types of memory, each is essential to perform cognitive tasks that we utilize every day. From an instructional designer perspective, it is valuable to consider the types of memory when constructing activities to strengthen neural pathways in the brain.

References:

Sousa, D. A. (2022). How the brain learns (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.