Memory and Transfer Professional Resource by Kristen Murphy

What is Memory?

KristenMurphy1 — 2025-10-07 20:58:28 UTC

Memory refers to the ability to recall information. Information is encoded, stored, and retrieved by the brain. Memory helps us retain information and skills, and affects how we engage with experiences. Memory also affects learning, decision making, and problem solving. In many ways, our memories shape who we are. They make up our internal biographies — the stories we tell ourselves about what we've done with our lives. They tell us who we're connected to, who we've touched during our lives, and who has touched us. In short, our memories are crucial to the essence of who we are as human beings (Harvard Health Publishing, 2022).

Types of Memory

KristenMurphy1 — 2025-10-08 16:08:14 UTC

There are three main types of memory. These include long-term memory, short-term memory and sensory memory.

There are three main types of memory. These include long-term memory, short-term memory and sensory memory. According to Sousa (2022) our brain takes in more information from our environment in a single day than the largest computer does in a year.

Long-term Memory

KristenMurphy1 — 2025-10-08 20:36:17 UTC

Long-term memory refers to information stored for long periods of time. These include recalling facts, experiences, skills, and processes. Some examples of long-term memory include knowing multiplication facts, understanding the meaning of words, knowing how to ride a bike, typing on a keyboard without looking. Long-term memory is especially important in education so educators are aware of how the brain works. Educators must understand the brain so that they can create effective lessons and activities for students. To enhance long-term memory, educators can use different strategies. Some of which include repetition, visuals, hands-on learning, and making connections. Using repetition helps students review material to strengthen memory retention. Visuals help organize information for students to see which helps processing. Hands-on learning promotes engagement which will help students become more active in their learning. Lastly, when students make connections, it helps them relate content and real-life experiences and learning becomes more meaningful. Long-term memory will help students as they move forward in their education. When long-term memories are formed, information goes to the hippocampus. This decides what is important to remember. As we repeat information, the memories move to the cerebral cortex. As a person remembers the memory, the memory gets stronger.

Short-term Memory

KristenMurphy1 — 2025-10-08 20:37:06 UTC

Short-term memory refers to information recalled for shorter periods of time. This could be a few seconds or minutes. Some examples of short-term memory include remembering a short list of groceries at the store, remembering where you placed something, and looking up a definition and remembering it for a moment before writing it down. Short-term memory is important in education because it is a place where students hold and process information. For example, in math, students must know numbers and operations to understand multi-step problems. Without short-term memory, students will struggle to understand material. Educators can support short-term memory by breaking lessons into smaller, more manageable parts and giving students step by step instructions. When short-term memories are formed, the brain holds small amounts of information. The prefrontal cortex is where this memory is occurring. Information from the senses enters the brain and this information stays for a few seconds. If a person pays attention to the information, it can stay in short-term memory.

Sensory Memory

KristenMurphy1 — 2025-10-08 20:37:49 UTC

Sensory memory is the first stage of memory. This is where information is stored that comes through the senses. These senses include sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. The brain processes sensory information before deciding what to do. Visual information lasts for less than a second and auditory information lasts for a few seconds. Sensory memory is important in education because it is the first stage of learning. Information from the environment is received and processed through the senses. Understanding sensory memory is important as an educator so that lessons and activities are building on sensory memory. Educators can provide engaging lessons with multiple senses. When sensory memories are formed, the brain takes in information from the senses and keeps it for usually less than a second. The visual cortex and auditory cortex are linked to the senses.

What is Retention?

KristenMurphy1 — 2025-10-08 20:51:12 UTC

Retention refers to the process whereby long-term memory preserves learning in such a way that it can locate, identify, and retrieve it accurately in the future (Sousa, 2022). This is where information is kept in memory over time. Retention allows us to remember information we learned today, yesterday, a week ago, a month ago and years ago. Retention is important in education so students can use what they know and apply it to their learning. This allows students to store and recall information and build on it over time. Educators can use effective strategies to build retention. These include using long-term understanding. Educators should focus on students remembering information and not just teaching it. Using strategies that strengthen short-term and long-term memory helps improve retention.

What is Transfer ?

KristenMurphy1 — 2025-10-08 20:58:27 UTC

Transfer is the process of taking what you know or what you have learned and applying it to a new or different situation. Recognizing similarities between past experiences shows transfer. Transfer relates to learning in many ways. It is crucial for students to take previous background knowledge or skills and connect them to other subjects or content. Transfer helps build connections which are especially important during the learning process. To teach for transfer, we need to consider two major factors: the time sequence and the complexity of the transfer link between the learnings. The time sequence refers to the way the teacher will use time and transfer in the learning situation. Transfer can occur from past to present or from present to future (Sousa, 2022).

How does Trauma affect the Brain?

KristenMurphy1 — 2025-10-08 21:20:03 UTC

The brain can be highly affected by trauma. Trauma affects how the brain processes, stores, and recalls memories. When a person experiences trauma, the amygdala detects danger. This triggers a flight or flight response. Too much stress can have a negative impact on learning. If the stress level gets too high, our focus shifts to the emotions and the consequences generated by the stress, and learning fades. Students need a certain level of concern to stimulate their efforts to learn (Sousa, 2022). It is crucial for educators to be aware of potential sources of stress so that students feel supported and their social-emotional needs are met. Traumatic experiences change the way the brain functions. Traumatic experiences can lead to strong emotional reactions and memory gaps. Trauma can interfere with the hippocampus which may lead to vivid memories. In some instances, the brain may block out parts of the memory. The prefrontal cortex may also be disturbed if there is trauma present. If this occurs, this could lead to poor decision making.

Improving Memory Through Multisensory Learning and Repetition

KristenMurphy1 — 2025-10-08 21:46:41 UTC

There are many ways to improve memory. One effective strategy is to use multisensory learning. This strategy stimulates the senses and gives a unique approach to learning. By implementing this, it helps create stronger neural pathways in the brain. Incorporating the senses provides students with engaging activities. These activities will keep students focused on the task at hand. For students who have experienced trauma, multisensory learning is a great tool to use. Staying on task and focused may be difficult for these students. With this approach, learning is hands-on and students are engaged in their learning. This approach can also help students feel calmer and comfortable which will ultimately improve memory because students will be able to focus and learn more effectively. Another effective strategy to improve memory is repetition. By incorporating this, students are able to store and recall information over time. For example, in my classroom, sing multiplication songs every day to remember our multiplication facts. This repetition has gotten many of my students to remember their multiplication facts.

Improving Transfer Through Real World Experiences and Connections

KristenMurphy1 — 2025-10-08 22:01:03 UTC

There are many ways to improve transfer. One effective strategy is to connect learning to real world experiences. When students see what they are learning relates to the real world, they can better understand and learning becomes more meaningful. Students are able to use what they have learned and apply it to real life situations. Making connections is such a powerful tool to use in education. These connections will reach beyond the classroom. Making connections will also help students in other academic areas. They can apply this knowledge across all subject areas. By using connections to real world experiences, students can deepen their understanding and they will be excited to learn. This will help many students, including ones who have been affected by trauma. Because trauma may affect focus, students may struggle to stay focused. By incorporating real life connections, students are more likely to stay engaged. Learning is more meaningful so these students may be able to apply this knowledge to their own life. Overall, this strategy is a great way to get all students engaged and excited about learning.