Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-2-memory-processing [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [Teacher CPD](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd.md) › [CPD: Cognitive Science for Teachers - Seneca Certified Educator](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator.md) › Memory Processing # Memory Processing CPD: Cognitive Science Level 1, topic 1.1.2 ## Memory Processing There are three basic stages in the processing of memories. ### Encoding ![Encoding](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/821a5a2a-c204-48d5-b684-f98604b050c5/man-reading-book.jpg) - The first stage involves the perception of things that happen around us. We can perceive things using all our senses - taste, sight, touch, smell and hearing. - Encoding is a selective process. We cannot focus on every sensory input around us all the time, so our brain focuses on the most important one or two. We are more likely to notice and encode: - Emotional things. - Novel or new things. - Things that are important because of evolution. ### Consolidation ![Consolidation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/b5c91df7-4a07-4592-8e7d-c987f8474797/nerve-neuron-cells.jpg) - After an event has been encoded, it may be consolidated in the brain. - Consolidation involves physical and chemical changes in our brain. - These changes in our brain are often called memory traces. ### Retrieval ![Retrieval](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/eee6bab5-d6a7-493a-8fb2-39322a189cd0/exam-sheet-answers.jpg) - Retrieval is the actual act of remembering or recalling something. That is, bringing that information back into your mind. - We must access the information stored in our brains to respond to the world around us. ## Reconsolidation About two decades ago, researchers discovered another stage in memory processing - reconsolidation. ### Reconsolidation ![Reconsolidation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/1.5.1%20Energy%20Changes/light-bulbs-min.jpg) - Every time we retrieve or recall a piece of information, that memory trace often changes again. - This process can make memories weaker or stronger. ### Retrieval practice ![Retrieval practice](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/c93b84e7-95d9-40bc-acf6-a44979b8c28f/man-thinking-memory-thought.jpg) - Actively bringing information back to mind is one of the most effective learning techniques. - This process creates stronger memory traces than passively reading notes, for example. ## Test yourself on Memory Processing - During memory processing, when does the actual act of remembering happen? - Which 5 senses can we use to perceive information or stimulus? - Which of the three stages of memory processing is the main one when a student answers a question in an exam? - When was the stage of reconsolidation in memory processing discovered? - Which is correct about reconsolidation? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/9f6bf15c-23fe-401c-810a-3bc66d761885/section/8d5c99dc-b1ab-4d93-b16b-3cf82a9ed004/session) - Previous topic: [1.1.1 Overview of Memory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-1-overview-of-memory.md) - Next topic: [1.2.1 Types of Memory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-2-1-types-of-memory.md) ## CPD: Cognitive Science Level 1 contents ### 1 Memory - 1.1 Memory Processing - [1.1.1 Overview of Memory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-1-overview-of-memory.md) - [1.1.2 Memory Processing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-2-memory-processing.md) - 1.2 Types of Memory - [1.2.1 Types of Memory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-2-1-types-of-memory.md) - [1.2.2 Working Memory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-2-2-working-memory.md) ### 2 How Do We Learn? - 2.1 Neural Model of Learning - [2.1.1 Neural Model of Learning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/2-1-1-neural-model-of-learning.md) - [2.1.2 Desirable Difficulties](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/2-1-2-desirable-difficulties.md) - [2.1.3 The Forgetting Curve](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/2-1-3-the-forgetting-curve.md) ### 3 Cognitive Load Theory - 3.1 CLT - [3.1.1 CLT](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/3-1-1-clt.md) - [3.1.2 Background Knowledge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/3-1-2-background-knowledge.md) ### 4 Effective Strategies - 4.1 Rosenshine's Principles - [4.1.1 Rosenshine's Top 1-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-1-1-rosenshines-top-1-5.md) - [4.1.2 Rosenshine's 6-10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-1-2-rosenshines-6-10.md) - 4.2 Dunlosky's Strategies - [4.2.1 Dunlosky's Strategies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-2-1-dunloskys-strategies.md) - 4.3 Dylan Wiliam - [4.3.1 Dylan Wiliam](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-3-1-dylan-wiliam.md) - 4.4 Daniel Willingham - [4.4.1 Daniel Willingham](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-4-1-daniel-willingham.md) - 4.5 The Learning Scientists - [4.5.1 The Learning Scientists](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-5-1-the-learning-scientists.md) - [4.5.2 Practical Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-5-2-practical-ideas.md)