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The Learning Cycle: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval

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The Learning Cycle: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval

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As educators, it's crucial to understand how our students' brains process information. Learning occurs in three main stages: encoding (receiving and processing new information), storage (maintaining information over time), and retrieval (accessing stored information when needed). When we design lessons with these stages in mind, we can better support our students' learning journey.

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Our brains are incredibly adaptable! Neural plasticity refers to the brain's ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning. This means that every time our students learn something new, their brains physically change. This understanding helps us appreciate the importance of repeated practice and varied learning experiences.

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After watching this, your brain will not be the same | Lara Boyd | TEDxVancouver

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Think of working memory as a mental workspace where students temporarily hold and manipulate information. It has limited capacity (about 7±2 items). Long-term memory, however, has virtually unlimited capacity. Our goal as teachers is to help students transfer information from working memory to long-term memory through meaningful engagement and connections.

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As teachers, we need to recognize that trauma can significantly affect our students' ability to learn. Trauma can impact attention, memory, and emotional regulation. Students who have experienced trauma might struggle with focus, exhibit behavioral challenges, or have difficulty processing new information. Creating a trauma-informed classroom is essential for supporting all learners.

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When students experience chronic stress or trauma, their brains are often in 'survival mode,' with elevated cortisol levels that can interfere with learning. The prefrontal cortex, crucial for executive functions like planning and decision-making, may be less accessible. Understanding this helps us respond with patience and appropriate interventions.

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Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

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Toxic Stress Derails Healthy Development

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Safety is crucial for learning. When students feel physically and emotionally safe, their brains are better prepared to learn. Implement predictable routines, offer choices, provide clear expectations, and create calm-down spaces in your classroom. Remember: relationship-building is key to helping trauma-affected students succeed.

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Instead of passive re-reading, encourage students to actively recall information through quick writes, self-quizzing, or teaching others. Combine this with spaced repetition - reviewing material at gradually increasing intervals. Research shows this combination is more effective than cramming or highlighting text.

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Help students organize information into meaningful 'chunks.' For example, when teaching a new concept, break it down into smaller, related pieces. This strategy works with our brain's natural tendency to look for patterns and helps overcome working memory limitations. I use this daily in my math classes when teaching multi-step problems.

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Engage multiple senses in learning activities. When students see, hear, say, and do something related to the content, they create multiple neural pathways to the same information. I've found that using manipulatives, movement, visual aids, and verbal explanations significantly improves retention in my classroom.

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🧠 MULTI-MODAL LEARNING to boost your memory 🧠

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Our brains retain information better when we connect it to prior knowledge or personal experiences. Encourage students to relate new concepts to things they already know. Use analogies, real-world examples, and personal stories. I start each new unit by having students brainstorm what they already know about the topic.