Loci
The method of "Loci" is underused toady. The ancient Greeks taught narrators to imagine themselves in the room of a grand villa - fill that room with the items they will talk about - then during the presentation mentally walk through the room and describe the items. These narrators could talk at length without notes just by using those visual cues.
Leslie,
Right you are. It amazing that after a while you can point to a place on the classroom wall and the students will be able to recall 4-5-6 items that you have covered with them because they have fixed the content in their minds from you having used the loci method with them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is a good approach. Sometimes I bring in props to use as show and tell, but with this line of thinking, I can point to an object in the room and make a connection. If I keep referring to the same object, students can then make the connection and consider using "prop" of their own in the room to remember topics.
Shannon,
Good comments about the value of using different devices and techniques to remember content, data and formulas. Any strategy that will help student remember the information without overwhelming the learner is valuable to introduce to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have not heard too much about this method, but I can see the value in using it for presentations and remembering specific information. I have found that using methods such as this one also help to remember the information and when the time comes to give the presentation the actual method is not used as much because the information has been stored while trying to memorize the method.
Hi Randy,
I believe it was Simonides -- wasn't it? -- who correctly identified all of the bodies of the children who were crushed when the roof of their school collapsed on them. He had visited the school earlier that day and used his memory techniques to "place" each one of the children.
I share your admiration for the ancient Greeks and agree with you that these mnemonic methods aren't being utilized enough today.
I actually learn this way and know firsthand the benifits of using memory recalled based on the location of items in a room.
The props help give students a link to the subject being taught in the classroom
Steve,
Enthusiasm, excitement, passion and dedication are words that instructors need to use on a regular basis. You are right on with your comments about how we need to "sell" our content with our focus on how we love our field and want to share it with others.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Using props around the room is a great way to keep you on track and focused without having to use notes. Student buy in is greater when they feel like you are teaching a subject that you are passionate about and know well, rather then just presenting a topic you just got done teaching yourself for the sake of the class.
Randy,
Thank you for sharing this bit of history about the loci method. I use it a lot and you have given me additional information about how it has evolved into use today.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
