Assignment 1: Discussion—Memory Models

Learning about the structure of memory can improve your study skills. In this assignment, you will discuss the academic applications of memory models and try to apply the principles to yourself. Use the readings for the module and the terminology of the subject and respond to these questions:

You are a teaching assistant for an undergraduate history class and need to prepare a test. You want evidence to show that students know the material well. What kind of test would you prepare? What kind of test do you think requires the most in-depth knowledge? Why?
As Dan took his history test, he could not recollect many of the dates he had studied. Dan had memorized some important dates just before the test. While he was doing this, he was also talking on the phone. Which of Dan’s memory stores—sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), or long-term memory (LTM)—do you think were most affected by his phone conversation? Why? Could Dan have done something differently to prevent forgetting the dates? Explain.
Identify two different kinds of mnemonic devices that could help Dan remember dates for his history test. Explain how they could be used.
Melissa is disappointed that she received yet another “D” on a test. She studied for several hours by reading and rereading her textbook and class notes. Based on the levels-of-processing memory theory, explain why Melissa’s method of studying was not very effective? What could she have done differently?
Using Baddeley’s working memory model, give an example of two tasks that could successfully be performed simultaneously (For example, can you listen to music while studying at the same time?). Discuss two other tasks that probably would interfere with each other. Make sure to discuss your answers in terms of the visuospatial scratchpad, the phonological loop, and the central executive.

Write your initial response in 4–5 paragraphs. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Notes from the Professor:

For the Module 3 Assignment 1 discussion, you may want to do an Internet search using the following search terms “memory and mnemonic devices”, or “Baddeley’s working memory model”. Be sure to paraphrase into your own words for the purpose of the discussion and give credit to your source by using in-text citations and a reference list in APA format. An example is…

http://mercercognitivepsychology.pbworks.com/w/page/61198759/Baddeley’s%20Model%20of%20Working%20Memory

Reference

Baddeley A, Gathercole S, Papagno C (January 1998). “The phonological loop as a language learning device”. Psychol Rev 105 (1): 158–73. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.105.1.158. PMID 9450375.

This module we are discussing the formation and retrieval of memories. A similar conceptualization of short-term memory is that of working memory, a theory developed by Baddeley and his colleagues (1992). Working memory contains information recalled from long-term memory and information from the current environment. However, the working memory model differentiates between types of information. The visuospatial sketchpad deals with visual images while the phonological loop deals with inner speech or other auditory information so that it can be rehearsed and remembered.

The two different components of working memory can be studied using a dual task. Theoretically, if tasks use two different memory stores, a person should be able to perform the tasks simultaneously at a high level. If the tasks use the same memory store, performance on the two tasks will be worse if they are performed simultaneously than if they are performed individually.

Consider the task of designing auditory alerts for a helicopter. You could use a dual task to make sure the auditory alerts did not interfere with tasks related to flying the helicopter. Participants could engage in visual tasks where they have to keep a cursor centered, must indicate when markers are out of range, and keep “tanks” filled by manipulating different “valves.” Performing these tasks together is a challenge, but all tasks are visuospatial in nature (much like actually flying an aircraft). Adding a recognition task for auditory alerts should not significantly disrupt the other tasks according to the working memory model, because it uses the phonological loop portion and does not add work for the visuospatial component. In practice, performance on the visual tasks typically does not decrease with the addition of the auditory alerts.

preview of the answer…

As a teaching assistant for an undergraduate history class, I need to prepare a test. I want evidence to show that students know the material well. I would prepare an examination with short answers, multiple choices and short essays to gauge the flow of their learning and their ability to express their understanding of the history topics. I would also involve individual and group presentations so that they can build their confidence as they demonstrate what they know. The kind of test that requires the most in-depth knowledge is an examination because it features different areas of the course or learned unit and elements of knowledge application (Andrade, 2001). Therefore, exams will definitely encourage concentration among students in class and also push them to indulge in the lessons properly…

APA 684 words