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Memory is a complex cognitive process that involves the storage, encoding and retrieval of information. There are several types of memory, which each serve different functions.

Sensory memory

This is the initial stage of the memory processing and involves the five senses sight, sound, touch, taste and smell (Sousa, 2022, p. 40).

This is the type of memory that holds sensory information from the environment for typically less than a second. (Sousa, 2022, p. 41).

It plays a crucial role in attention and perception (Sousa, 2022, p. 41).

Long-term memory (LTM)

Information is stored over extended periods which can be from minutes to a lifetime (Sousa, 2022, p. 74).

It is divided into two major types, declarative memory and nondeclarative memory.

Declarative memory

Also known as conscious or explicit (Sousa, 2022, p. 75).

This involves remembering facts, objects, names and music and is processed by the cerebrum and hippocampus (Sousa, 2022, p. 75).

It then can be divided into semantic memory and episodic memory.

Episodic memory is the autobiographical events memory that is the memory of remembering, the conscious memory of events in our own life (Sousa, 2022, p. 75).

Semantic memory is the memory of knowing factual knowledge of data and facts (Sousa, 2022, p. 75).

Nondeclarative memory

Is sometimes called implicit memory which include procedural memory, perceptual representation system, nonassociative learning and classical conditioning (Sousa, 2022, p. 75).

Procedural memory is remember how to do tasks through motor and cognitive skills (Sousa, 2022, p. 76).

Perceptual representation system is the form and structure of words and objects based on prior experiences (Sousa, 2022, p. 76).

Classical conditioning or Pavlovian conditioning, is associated with conditioned stimuli and is a form of associative learning (Sousa, 2022, p. 76).

Nonassociative learning occurs in two forms, habituation which helps us learn to not respond to things and sensitization that increases our responses to threatening stimulus (Sousa, 2022, p. 76).

Short-term memory (STM)

Related to working memory and immediate memory and involves the prefrontal cortex (Sousa, 2022, p. 41).

This is also known as working memory and it temporarily holds a limited amount of information that is available for immediate use, that is typically for about 20-30 seconds (Sousa, 2022, p. 41).

It is responsible for tasks like, mental arithmetics, comprehension and problem-solving.

Understanding different types of memories helps to optimize retention, encoding and retrieval, which educators can use to enhance the learning outcomes of their students to help support those with diverse needs in both the educational and professional setting. With sensory memory it allows the brain to process information before it is discarded, which allows students to process information. With short-term memory it helps students with solving math problems or even understanding a sentence. Long-term memory allows students to retain knowledge and skills over extended periods.

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Retention and Transfer and their relationship to learning

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Retention and Transfer and their relationship to learning

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Both retention and transfer are related to learning as they determine the extent to which skills and knowledge are applied and retained over time.

Retention

Is the ability to remember and recall information over time by processing long-term memory storage to help locate, retrieve and identify learning in the future (Sousa, 2022, p. 78).

Providing meaningful and relevant information helps keep the individuals engaged and spacing and breaking down information is more effective for retention (Sousa, 2022, p. 79).

Transfer

Ability to apply learned knowledge and skills to new situations that demonstrates a deep understanding in thinking (Sousa, 2022, p. 132).

Providing a deeper and more conceptual understanding of material helps to better transfer the information (Sousa, 2022, p. 132).

Retention is effective in the retrieval of information which can be transferred to different scenarios, like enhancing problem-solving and adaptability in both the professional and educational setting. This influences individuals to not only remember information but also have them apply it to real-life scenarios.

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Trauma to places like the frontal lobe can cause serious and sometimes permanent behaviors and personality changes. Which negatively impact learning by causing significant changes in the brain which involves memory processing and emotions which effect the amygdala, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus (Sousa, 2022, p. 14).

This includes loss of speech and difficulties to memory as trauma impairs cognitive functioning by making it difficult to consolidate and encode memories (Sousa, 2022, p. 14).

Working memory is damaged and affects focus, memory gaps including difficulty recalling details and periods and reliving traumatic events (Sousa, 2022, p. 14).

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Strategies to improve memory, retention and transfer

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Strategies to improve memory, retention and transfer

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Although there are many strategies that can be used to improve memory, retention and/or transfer, mindfulness has become a popular way to help learners especially those who have experienced trauma.

This includes:

Yoga

MBSR (Mindfulness-based stress reduction)

MBST (Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy)

Guided exercise and breathing

Meditation

All of the above strategies help change brain structures and activities with attention and emotion regulation by helping to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue and treat pain, depression, addiction and improve physical health and cognitive control (American Psychological Association, 2019). By enhancing attention and focus it allows individuals to be in the present moment which reduces distractions and improve ability to help encode information effectively, which relates to improving memory, retention and the transfer of information. Mindfulness practices help to strengthen memory encoding and retrieval which helps to reduce mind-wondering by helping to facilitate a deeper engagement which improves retention, recall of information and emotional regulation. Emotional regulation helps to reduce the impact of negative emotions on learning and memory processes with working memory to help improve capacity, retention and efficiency. These mindful breaks help to reset attention and reduce cognitive overload by enhancing focus and relaxation and help individuals with problem-solving skills that influence their overall success and well-being in the educational setting (American Psychological Association, 2019).

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American Psychological Association. (2019). Mindfulness meditation: A research-proven way to reduce stress. https://www.apa.org/topics/mindfulness/meditation

Sousa, D.A. (2022). How the brain learns (6th ed., pp.14-132). Corwin. https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/9781071855348/epub/OEBPS/s9781071855324.i603.html#page_14