This is installment six in a seven part series on learning:
- Attention.
- Concentration.
- Connections.
- Understanding.
- Remembering.
- Recalling.
- Expression.
In the previous post we looked at putting things into memory, but for success in life we also need to be able to, on demand, retrieve that information from our memory banks. The process of recalling is thus as important as memorising. Recall is the sixth crucial step in the learning process.
6. Recall.
Recall of a memory is the retrieval of information from various parts of the brain, combining it into a coherent single memory and bringing it into our conscious awareness. Recall requires a number of clues on the subject, environment or circumstances in order for the brain to be able to find the required information. The original storage of the information started with sensory information and the final recall of a memory will again be represented as a sensory experience. Sensory clues, such as a colour or shape (visual), or how it sounds (auditory), or the smell of flowers in the environment, will all help to both store and recall a memory better.
Memory recall is an on-the-fly reconstruction of elements scattered throughout different areas of the brain. During recall the brain replays the pattern of neural connections that it generated when experiencing the original event. These replays are similar but not quite the same to the original and the recall of memories will change slightly over time as new information will get mixed up with old memories.
Distraction at the time of recall will slow down the retrieval process, but distraction at the time of memorising will have a much greater influence on memorising and retrieving information.
Tests taken immediately after the initial learning event will significantly improve subsequent retrieval of facts and ideas, as well as the overall understanding of topics and the ability to solve related problems. This testing helps to protect against sensory and cognitive overload and a quick test is much more effective than an extra hour of study.
If we have paid attention, concentrated, made connections, understood, memorised and recalled the new information we received through our senses, we are finally ready to take the last important step, to express our new knowledge - and that is the subject of the last post in this series of seven articles.
