Introduction to Modules Eight and Nine

Module Eight is an introduction to how our brains process and recall information, along with some of the study strategies that might help improve memory. We will also be exploring some of the myths about our brains and how we learn.

Module Nine is based on previous ideas we have discussed in class about Time Management, Procrastination, Academic Boredom, and Concentration. These topics are repeated, since they tend to be the ones that most students indicate a desire to work on improving. You will select ones of these areas that is the most relevant for you.

Memory

The Science of Memory

Let’s begin by exploring two videos that detail some of the science of the brain and memory.

Start with this video that describes the Information Processing Model. It’s captioned correctly, and I recommend that everyone turn on the captioning so that you can see the spelling of the scientific terminology. Five quiz questions will come from this video.

Have you ever heard that we only use 10 percent of our brains? Here is your second video, which addresses this idea. This one has technical terms, too, so it’s best to turn on the captioning and/or use the transcript. Five quiz questions will come from this video.

Study Strategies to Improve Memory

Next, you are going to work on connecting the science of how we remember things to some of the study strategies that can be used to improve memory. You already have a strong background in this from the CPEL videos with Dr. Chew.

There are three websites you will be using this week. Begin by carefully reading the information, considering the information, and reflecting on what information is valuable to you. Some of the information on the websites is based on the science of memory and other parts of the websites are not grounded in the science of how we learn. Try to distinguish between that which is based on solid scientific theory and that which is not.

These documents/websites will be the basis of your assignment:

Site One: Memory Techniques (downloads as a .pdf)

Site Two: Strategies to Improve Memory and Retention

Site Three: Ten Easy Memory Tricks

Assignments

Assignment One: Complete a PowerPoint on Memory

Your assignment will be to take the information from the three websites on memory strategies and use them to complete a PowerPoint Template. The template is found at this link, and is also under "content." In order to save and edit it, you need to click the download arrow. The slides that you add will do the following:

• Identify connections to yourself and your study strategies.
• Evaluate the content.
• Analyze the science. In other words, is the information correct and based on “real” science? Why or why not?
• Examine how helpful, relevant, or realistic the information may be.
• Collect additional research on the topic. Be sure to cite the sources.

You must do at least one slide that does each of these 5 tasks. The remaining slides can include any combination of these tasks.

When you are done with the slide content, add relevant images. Just as words can be plagiarized, so can images. To avoid plagiarism, if you get images from the Internet, include the image links on the bottom of the pages.

Grading Rubric:

Your PowerPoint will be graded holistically. These are the elements I will be evaluating:

1. Did you add at least one PowerPoint slide that did each of the following?

Identify connections to yourself and your study strategies.

Evaluate the content.

Analyze the science. In other words, is the information correct and based on “real” science? Why or why not?

Examine how helpful, relevant, or realistic the information may be.

Collect additional research on the topic. Be sure to cite the sources.

2. Was the information added significant and thoughtful?

3. Was the conclusion slide completed and thoughtful?

4. Were relevant images added to the PowerPoint?

5. Was plagiarism avoided?

6. Was your PowerPoint free of spelling, grammatical and stylistic errors?