Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-2-1-types-of-memory [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) › Types of Memory # Types of Memory CPD: Cognitive Science Level 1, topic 1.2.1 ## Types of Memory We have more than one type of memory and each has different characteristics. ### Declarative memory ![Declarative memory](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/46f35257-bbd2-4ca0-8087-372ac5cebf8c/child-homework-thinking-memory.jpg) - Information stored as declarative memories can be accessed consciously - we can think and talk about this knowledge in words. - There are two types of declarative memories: Semantic and Episodic. ### Semantic memory ![Semantic memory](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/aed959a1-360e-4522-a016-56df9f9cf64f/soldier-world-war-1.jpg) - Semantic memory is knowledge of facts about the world and meaning of words. We are usually taught about semantic memories. Some examples are knowing - What triggered the First World War. - The meaning of the word “carbohydrates”. ### Episodic memory ![Episodic memory](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/95a68803-387c-4c50-9a0e-89800283fa55/Banquet-Tudor-Food-Feast-Table.jpg) - Episodic memories are memories of our own experiences and the events of our lives. Some examples are remembering - Your first day as a teacher. - What you had for dinner last night. ### Non-declarative memory ![Non-declarative memory](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/ddc84bb0-517d-4a38-9252-4bb41d8bfe43/racing-bicycle-161449_1280.png) - Non-declarative memories are memories that we access without conscious awareness. They are usually created with practice and are retrieved automatically. A few examples are knowing how to - Ride a bike. - Swim. ### Working memory ![Working memory](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/2b8496c0-5772-48c5-8229-599f7eb6abdd/bills-energy-paper-work-calculator-.jpg) - Declarative and non-declarative memory are both parts of our long-term memory system. - A different system is working memory, which is used to keep information in mind while we manipulate and use this information to complete a task. - If there are too many things to keep in mind at one time, then this may mean that someone's cognitive load is high. ## Semantic vs Episodic Memory Semantic and episodic memories are similar because they are both declarative memories. However, they also differ between each other. ### Semantic Memory ![Semantic Memory](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/cb9bffd8-e6b4-4d79-aa4c-011937b3bc3b/grammar-.jpg) - Semantic memory stores facts, rules, meanings, concepts. - It is our database of knowledge. - Vocabulary, grammar, maths concepts, historical dates. ### Episodic Memory ![Episodic Memory](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/79cd0d36-2e16-4a85-9a7c-6b5960e19e96/personal-many-faces-people-.jpg) - Episodic memory stores the what, where and when of events. - It allows us to "mentally time travel" and remember our past experiences. This usually focuses on what happened, where it happened & when it happened. - Stores our personal and subjective experiences. ## Test yourself on Types of Memory - Which of these is not an example of non-declarative memory? - Which of the following is not a type of declarative memory? - Which of these is an example of semantic memory? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/9f6bf15c-23fe-401c-810a-3bc66d761885/section/1ecd76ad-bc79-40da-9fa6-5135b4e3349d/session) - Previous topic: [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) - Next topic: [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) ## 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)