Memorization Games
I teach a science course that requires a student to memorize. I have found that by cutting up my daily lesson plan into various games, students from all learning styles do better on quizzes.
When I returned to school after many years of absence, I found that making my own sayings helped me to increase my capability of memorizing. Of course, I never would be able to repeat some of them (due to content) but it sure helped and always gave me a chuckle when I saw the questions pertaining to it on the test.
I often use the same Jeopardy game. It is a great learning tool, fun and provides increased confidence to the students.
Wow Andrew - thanks for some amazingly creative ideas related to memorization! Best wishes - Susan
There are literally hundreds of books written on memorization and "increasing the power of your brain!" Students are worried about required materials, they do not want to buy one of these books and waste precious time trying to learn the non-required info in the book.
However, I like to read these types of books for personal and professional development then use the strategies to increase the amount of information students can learn; simply by teaching my materials using the tricks/practices learned from the book.
I have two suggestions that I use regurally. 1) is a game I call Snapshot. This is great for people that have great imaginations. You have a list of "x" amount of terms/ words/ phrases/etc.; then you make the list into a snapshot. (Not great for recalling information in a specific order however!) A quick example...
Short list of words: airplane; swing; boot; and mouse. I would imagine a photo of an outragous looking AIRPLANE, with a SWING hanging off its wing; a BOOT with legs and hands swinging on the swing and holding a MOUSE on its lap.
Similar terms, phrases, or many words linked (like a paragraph) are a little more difficult to do. I try to envision a single object that will provide a memory jog as to the phrase or sentance.
If word have to be remembered in sequence I imagine an old locomotive rolling down the tracks. The sign on the front of the train tells me what the information is for (i.e. what class, what system, etc) Then I imagine the words begin to come out of the stack instead of smoke.
In either scenario, from what I gather, the trick is to make it as outragous as possible because humans tend to remember what is most shocking to the system.
Hope this helps! If you have any other ideas on memorization I would love to hear them.
Hi Laura- Thanks for your post to the forum. I know that students complain about memorizing medical terms. You make it seem like so much fun!Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
Memorization games are key; I use songs to teach things like blood flow of the heart and medical terminology. This keeps the students interested. Also you can ask the students to compete in a contest on who has the best types of memorization games.
I also use jepoardy as a teaching tool. The students really respond to it. I have also noticed that the students who are a bit more quiet start to participate as time goes on. Our school recently aquired 'Smart Board' which has become an excellent tool for learning the body systems. Kim
Hi Todd- Your Jeopardy PPT template sounds terrific. Did you create it or is it available somewhere? Susan
I have a Jeopardy! Powerpoint template I use to create an activity in each course that allows students to work in teams and review in both visual and auditory styles. :)
I agree I have found that the students retain more and have fun at the same time.
