In an article on the news platform The Conversation, various practical strategies based on psychological findings were presented to improve memory performance during learning. These tips aim to make learning more active, efficient and sustainable.
One key recommendation concerns the use of markers in the text. Contrary to the widespread practice of colourfully highlighting as many passages as possible, it is recommended that only a few key terms – ideally three to four – are highlighted per page. The text should first be read and understood in full before anything is highlighted. This approach encourages deeper processing of the material as it forces learners to evaluate and prioritise content, which in turn supports active learning.
Another approach to increase learning effectiveness is to summarise the most important content in your own words. Independent rephrasing has been shown to increase the depth of processing and therefore the likelihood that what has been learnt will be remembered. This technique is based on the principle of elaboration, in which information is processed in greater depth and embedded in existing knowledge.
The time frame of learning should also be considered. Research shows that information that is processed at the beginning or end of a learning unit is remembered particularly well – an effect known as the primacy and recency effect. To capitalise on this, it is advisable to regularly schedule short learning units with breaks in between. This leads to more learning phases with start and end moments, which improves overall memorisation. Ideally, each learning unit should end with a summary of the key points.
Finally, the importance of concrete and realistic learning objectives is emphasised. A structured learning plan, divided into achievable stages, can help to keep you on the ball. The public formulation of these goals, for example in dialogue with fellow students, also increases commitment and motivation. Rewards for achieving milestones – individually selectable – serve as an incentive and promote long-term willingness to learn.
Literature
Taylor, P. J., & Morley, A. M. (2024, April 24). Five tips to improve your memory when studying – backed by research. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/five-tips-to-improve-your-memory-when-studying-backed-by-research-227391