Challenging Our Minds Weblog

Task 3 - Number Recall (Visual) - This is a sequenced-digit, recall task designed to teach the utilization of techniques to enhance storage and recall, expand working memory and improve one’s ability to manipulate information in working memory. The three levels address immediate recall of the information in the same format as presented (level 1), immediate recall in reverse order (level 2) and recall in same order as presented but after a brief delay (level 3). Techniques that can be employed (and should be discussed with the student) include:

1. talking aloud,
2. rehearsing the sequence (aloud) several times before responding,
3. chunking the digits and
4. being vigilant for patterns that might appear in the sequences.

Chunking refers to strategically grouping the digits. For example, for a four-digit number like 8462, one could study it and then recall it in the format eighty-four, sixty-two. For a five-digit number like 95728, one could chunk it in the format nine-fifty-seven, twenty-eight. This reduces the information from 5 discrete pieces to two pieces. The primary object here is not to just teach someone a better technique for recalling numbers but to expand their working memory skills in general and instill in the student that one should spend time thinking of a technique that might facilitate recall of whatever they are trying to memorize. So, when studying for a history test or learning scientific facts in science class, one should analyze the data to be learned, organize it into an easier format, rehearse it sufficiently (aloud) and repeat all of this on multiple occasions.

Task 2 - Trail Trace - The key to success here is having a plan and sticking to the plan. At first you know nothing about the Trail. Then you explore, by clicking, until you find a section of the Trail. When you find a section you have to commit it to memory because whenever you make a mistake you have to start over. When you start over you have to retrace what you have already learned before you can explore again. You should have an exploration plan, a pattern by which you test for each new segment. If you do not have a plan and you are just clicking by random guesswork it will be more difficult to remember what you have already tried. This is true for any learning situation you are in. You should always be organized and always have a plan when you are trying to learn new information.

Task 1 - Colormatch - On each level the first try is simply a learning experience. At that point you do not know what colors are behind each window so you have to explore to match up the colors. However, exploration always goes better if it is planned and structured. The tendency for most people is to just click windows here and there and try to guess the matches. But, if a person started in the upper left corner and went window by window across each row and then progressed from top to bottom, just the structure of this method would help to match up the colors better. Then, once the colors are matched, some time must be spent studying the patterns of the matches and in making a specific plan as to how to put the colors back in on the next try. You cannot pass this task unless you can put the colors back in without making any errors. The moral to this is that if you have a plan for exploring, use some structure in how you go about learning information, make good use of study time and make a plan for recalling information, you will do better in everything you try to do whether it is school work, business or just ordinary daily things.