1.

Sensory Input is all the information you get through your five senses: taste, touch,
sight, sound, smell.
You ignore a lot of sensory input and send some to short-term memory.
You could compare sensory input to the input you give your computer through the keyboard's
keystrokes.

2. Short-term or "Working" Memory is a temporary storage area.

- Information you are currently conscious of, or working on, is held here, usually for very short
periods of time.
- Capacity at any given time is limited to about 7 "slots." (Think of your computer screen and the
information it can display at any one time.)
- Unless you begin to work on, or rehearse, the information in some way, it can be lost very
quickly. (You also have to "save" computer input to keep it from being lost.)
3. Rehearsal is the work you have to do to understand and store information.
Effective rehearsal is crucial. You don't remember what you don't understand.
1) Paraphrase ideas - put them in your own words instead of memorizing.
a. Sure, this isn't always easy, but it's worth it because it shows you understand the
concept.
2) Relate new information to what you already know and understand
a. --Think of your computer again.
--Do you have an existing file where this new information can fit?
b. If you do, you can just add to it, creating a richer, more complete file.
c. --If you have no existing file on this topic, you have to start a new one. The new
file will be small at first. As you add to it, it will be more useful.
3) Organize informationinto chunks or hierarchies.
a. Grouping ideas into meaningful categories lets you get the big picture and not be
swamped by details.
4) Use your visual sense.
a. Draw it, chart it, or make a timeline, graph, or diagram to remember what it looks
like, how it works, or when it happened.
5) The Feedback Loop lets you know whether you've learned.
- TEST YOURSELF to see if you're getting it.
Can you explain or write it in your own words?
Can you work the problems without looking?
Is the feedback positive? Go on to new material.

Is the feedback negative? OK - Keep studying.

- OVERLEARN: STUDY BEYOND BASIC UNDERSTANDING.
STUDY UNTIL YOU KNOW YOU KNOW IT, NO MATTER WHAT

5. Long-term Memory files and stores unlimited amounts of information in clusters

or schemas.

You ignore a lot of sensory input and send some to short-term memory.
Carefully organized and labeled "files" are easier to retrieve. (Think of your computer
files!)
"Files" that are used often are more up-to-date and easier to locate.

6. Retrieval is the process of finding and bringing information from long-term

memory.

Retrieval involves problem solving. Asking yourself the right questions is important.
Memory "cues," or reminders, can help you retrieve.
Frequent review keeps memories from "fading" over time.
Similar kinds of information can "interfere" with each other and prevent accurate
retrieval.