What is metamemory?

What is metamemory?
The term metamemory refers to knowledge of memory and memory process. It is knowing, for example, what one’s memory limits are, which memory strategies are more or less effective, and which memory tasks are more or less difficult. Memory also includes being able to plan and control memory process consciously as one in learning and remembering.

Metamemory is part of metacognition, knowledge the human mind and of the whole range of cognitive processes. The store of metacognitive knowledge might include an understanding that you are better at word problems than at math problems, that it is harder to pay attention to what are trying to learn when there is distracting noise in the background than when it is quiet, and that it is wise to check out a proposed solution to a problem before concluding it is correct.
What is metamemory?

5 ways to improve memory for students

5 ways to improve memory for students
1. Study with short breaksTake short breaks while studying.
Do not study continuously for more than 30 to 45 minutes. Give a break of five to ten minutes in between two sessions. Such short breaks give rest to your brain and help it to reinforce what you are learning. This will make it easy for you to understand more and remember better. Do not read any new information during these short breaks. Just relax or walk around.

2. Explain to yourselfExplain what you study to yourself.
Pretend you are both the student and the teacher, and try to explain the chapter or study topic to yourself. This kind of ‘explaining’ automatically helps you to learn the subject in detail. Hence you will remember it clearly.

3. DiscussDiscuss important study topics with a willing classmate.
Holding such discussion will jog your memory. This is like another form of revision. Also, you will become aware of important points about those study topics. This will help both you and your classmate to learn more and remember more.

4. Sleep well
Yes, sleep cosily. Good sleep is essential for good memory. Recent research has shown that lack of sufficient sleep interferes with memory function. Because during sleep and rest period, our brain processes and consolidates information which it records during the day. So do not skip sleep; especially during the exam days. Sleep for at least six hours. Eight hours is best.

5. Eat well
Now what has eating got to do with remembering more? Simple. What we eat affects our brain’s performance. Poor nutrition leads to learning and memory problems. So make sure you include nutrient-rich food items like--whole grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and milk in your diet. This will keep your brain healthy and happy.The above five remedies are easy to follow. They definitely help to strengthen your memory and achieve more success in your studies.
5 ways to improve memory for students

Children Need Strong Memory Skills

Children Need Strong Memory Skills
One important thing to know about memorizing is that your child needs to be good at it if they want to succeed in school.

And the sooner they begin learning how to memorize, the better.

Besides the fact they are developing a skill that is used in every class every day, they are separating themselves from other students that aren't aware of the importance of memory skills.

Most kids just wing it when it's time to study for tests or prepare presentations. If they remember some of the information they studied the night before, they're happy.

But your child doesn't need to settle for that approach. Here are some reasons why you need to help them develop strong memory skills. Skills that can make a dramatic difference in their learning almost immediately.

Reason #1 - Helps to eliminate learning deficiencies. According to expert, many learning problems can be traced to an inability to memorize.

For example, math problems occur because a child can't remember the steps to a formula. English problems crop up when a child can't remember important points to make in an essay. Science problems arise when a child can remember the procedures to an experiment.

Strengthening memory skills is one of the solutions Dr. Levine and others propose.

Reason #2 - Develops self confidence. If your child is able to memorize more easily than others, they feel like a million bucks. They aren't afraid to study and they look forward to showing what they remember in class.

When they have an effective system for remembering information, they feel less stress at test time and get better grades. They're calm and relaxed...the perfect mental state to do well in big moments.

Reason #3 - Allows time to build critical thinking skills. It is never too early to begin thinking about the material you're studying. In fact, it's clear that the earlier any habit is formed the stronger it gets over time.

When your child is able to remember, retain and recall information easily, they have more time to think about what they're studying.

While others are fighting to remember important points to include on a test, your child has the points memorized. All that's left is to put them down on paper in a logical fashion.

In summary, don't take memory training lightly. It is not as difficult as it sounds. And once your child learns just a few techniques, they'll begin developing a powerful memory that will make a dramatic difference in their education.
Children Need Strong Memory Skills

Understanding Memory

Understanding Memory
It needs very little argument to convince the average thinking person of the great magnitude of memory, although even then very few begin to realize just how important is the function of the mind that has to do with the retention of mental impressions. The first thought of the average person when he is asked to consider the importance of memory, is its use in the affairs of every-day life, along developed and cultivated lines, as contrasted with the lesser degrees of its development. In short, one generally thinks of memory in its phase of “a good memory'' as contrasted with the opposite phase of " a poor memory.'' But there is a much broader and fuller meaning of the term than that of even this important phase.

It is true that the success of the individual in his every-day business, profession, trade or other occupation depends very materially upon the possession of a good memory. His value in any walk in life depends to a great extent upon the degree of memory he may have developed. His memory of faces, names, facts, events, circumstances and other things concerning his every-day work is the measure of his ability to accomplish his task. And in the social intercourse of men and women, the possession of a retentive memory, well stocked with available facts, renders its possessor a desirable member of society. And in the higher activities of thought, the memory comes as an invaluable aid to the individual in marshalling the bits and sections of knowledge he may have acquired, and passing them in review before his cognitive faculties —thus does the soul review its mental possessions.

As Alexander Smith has said: "A man's real possession is his memory; in nothing else is he rich; in nothing else is he poor." Richter has said: "Memory is the only paradise from which we cannot be driven away. Grant but memory to us, and we can lose nothing by death.'' Lactantius says: '' Memory tempers prosperity, mitigates adversity, controls youth, and delights old age."

But even the above phases of memory represent but a small segment of its complete circle. Memory is more than "a good memory"—it is the means whereby we perform the largest share of our mental work.
Understanding Memory
By Paul Hegarty
Source: ezinearticles.com