After following this module you will be able to
- Explain different memory systems and models used in psychology and how they relate to your own learning
- Find, read, analyze and reflect on scientific articles about learning and study strategies.
- Discuss which, how and why different study techniques such as repeated retrieval (in contrast to simple re-learning) or spaced learning work, where they are useful and where not.
- Discuss which, how and why mnemonic encoding strategies such as the method of loci or the phonetic system work, where they are useful and where not.
- Describe learning and memory strategies theoretically and to apply them in practice
- Comment on scientific basis of learning methods
As a student, learning new information is among your main duties. In school and university, however, skills how to learn successfully are rarely taught explicitly, and learning efforts are often ineffective. Furthermore, this module connects with other courses teaching scientific approaches and will help to deepen the knowledge in finding, reading and understanding scientific work – in this case from neurosciences and learning sciences
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In this course, you will learn strategies how to learn effectively, based on the current knowledge in psychology, memory research and neuroscience. You will learn about mnemonic encoding techniques such as the memory palace also known as method of loci, study methods for long-lasting retention, and widely discussed cognitive enhancement strategies.
Among others, you will learn why simple repetition of learning sessions is highly ineffective, and how to use repeated retrieval sessions to establish long-lasting memories. In addition, you will learn the (actually not so secret) secrets of international memory champions from one of the insiders, as course coordinator Boris is a successful memory athlete since more than a decade, and the learning strategies of the world’s leading memory champions have been a major research topic the memory and sleep lab at the Donders Institute / Radboudumc in recent years.
Besides the psychological and neurobiological foundations of learning and memory strategies, you will try and train different memory techniques yourself. The course will teach you how to apply these strategies in your daily study life, thereby increasing your learning capability considerably. You will be able to learn more information in less time, and make the learned information stick for longer periods (after all, you should learn for life, not for exams).
The course will also enable you to evaluate the reliability of various methods (including those not specifically covered in this course) and to investigate which promises are based on science and which are not.
Toetsing
- Passing a tests of practical learning skills acquired in this course as requirement to take part in the exam
- The theoretical knowledge will be tested in form of a written exam with open questions.
- While (parts of) the teaching in the course is in English, you may choose to write the Exam in Dutch.
- For students who fail the exam, a repeat exam with slightly varied questions will be offered within 4 weeks
Module opzet
Interactive lectures, workshops, home-based training of memory methods.
Tijdschema
Exact times and dates will be announced.
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