Every day, learners of all ages ask me how to improve their memory. But this is the wrong question.
Memory is not a knob in our brain that we turn up or down. How well we retain information is the byproduct of the processes we use to learn it. In this article, I’ll briefly outline the main processes research has identified and how they impact our memory.
The condensed overview
Good memory occurs when information is encoded into our long-term memory through highly self-regulated higher-order learning. As information is stored in more well-connected and relevant cognitive architectures, knowledge decay is subsequently reduced, and retention improves.
The added benefits of self-regulated higher-order learning include improved confidence, engagement and enjoyment of learning; better learning outcomes in assessments or other forms of retrieval needs; faster ability to learn high volumes of information due to efficient layering and scaffolding of learning; and improved ability to retrieve information in more complex situations.