⇑Memletics Manual » Process Chapter » Arrange Content » Retention Approach

Choose your retention approach

Once you have analyzed your content using the knowledge type table above, you can then look at how you can reinforce that content. Decide what you need to memorize, and then choose suitable techniques for initial learning as well as reinforcing. Be sure to combine techniques for ideal learning. It’s also helpful to use the principles of part task training. Let’s look in more detail at these activities.

Choose what to memorize

Do you need to memorize the details of how to set up an audio system for a presentation, when you can simply refer to notes while doing so? Do you need to memorize a flight-planning checklist if you can have the checklist next to you while you plan? Often when first given new set of memory techniques, students want to memorize everything they can. Avoid falling victim to the proverb: “When you have a hammer, everything looks like nail.”

You do not need to memorize everything! Choose what you do need to memorize. If you can use an external reference or aid for some content, be sure to do so. If you decide you can use an external reference, design it now so you can consider its use while choosing other techniques to learn a particular topic.

The following table is a guide you to help you choose how much memorization you need. The fully shaded circles show a strong need, an empty circle shows little need.

Developing automatic knowledge needs memorization and repetition. Supporting knowledge relies heavily on external aids, and doesn’t need as much memorization or repetition.

Choose techniques

Once you have decided what you need to memorize, choose the Memletic Techniques that best help you reinforce each chunk of content. Use the Technique Selection Matrix table below as a guide to the techniques that are effective for the various knowledge storage types. A fully shaded circle tells you the technique is useful. A half-filled circle tells you the technique may be useful, or is partially useful.

This table is just a starting point for you to get an idea of which techniques may be suitable. You may want to start building your own version based on your experiences.

Here are some further tips for choosing techniques:

·  Vary your choices for initial learning versus reinforcing. Some techniques are better for initial learning, whereas others are better for reinforcing material once you have a good understanding. These vary depending on the content, so keep this principle in mind as you choose and use techniques.

·  Combine techniques. Often you need to combine techniques to memorize material well. For example, learning a checklist can involve techniques from all the categories—associate, visualize, verbalize, simulate, perform and repeat. Don’t look for just one “silver bullet” technique perfectly suited to a chunk of content.

Use part task training and recombination techniques. You may need to split some tasks and activities up into smaller parts. You then learn these smaller parts before bringing the tasks back together. This is “part task training” and recombination. I cover these techniques in the Memletic Techniques chapter. Use these principles when deciding how to memorize topics that are more complex.