Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning/1-1-2-memory-and-the-brain

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [Teacher CPD](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd.md) › [CPD: Talking To Parents about Learning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning.md) › Memory and the Brain

# Memory and the Brain

CPD: Talking To Parents about Learning (by Patrice Bain), topic 1.1.2

## Working Memory and Long Term Memory

### Working Memory

![Working Memory](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-08/f7606db9-ea3f-455f-a6ea-f74a1291175b/post-it-plan-planning.jpg)

- Working memory is similar to a computer workspace, a Post-It, or a notepad.
 - It’s where we jot down points to remember. 
- It contains limited information.
- Once we are finished using the items in our working memory, they tend to disappear.

### Long term memory

![Long term memory](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/dbd08d96-eca2-49aa-a156-c5489b2817a4/brain-rubber-memory-loss.jpg)

- On the other hand, long term memory is where our memories are stored. 
- It is unlimited. 
- When we retrieve information, we are using long-term memory.

## Working Memory vs Long-Term Memory

### Working memory

[GIF: Working memory](https://media.giphy.com/media/GduFoi1AyyFzi/giphy.mp4)

- We can think of working memory as a shoe box. It offers limited space and can break if you add too much to it.

### Long-term memory

[GIF: Long-term memory](https://media.giphy.com/media/pN2E5YsxobPG/giphy.mp4)

- We can think of long-term memory as Mary Poppins’ bag. You can fit as much as you want there.

## Test yourself on Memory and the Brain

- Which type of memory is limited?
- What happens to the myelin sheaths as more and more electrical currents are fired between neurons?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/1953aa1b-a24e-48c2-9b11-6ac617481b15/section/973643f8-48c6-43ec-98b9-45217299337b/session)

- Previous topic: [1.1.1 How do we Learn?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning/1-1-1-how-do-we-learn.md)
- Next topic: [1.1.3 Cognitive Overload & Desirable Difficulties](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning/1-1-3-cognitive-overload-and-desirable-difficulties.md)

## CPD: Talking To Parents about Learning (by Patrice Bain) contents

### 1 Talking to Parents about Learning
- 1.1 How do we Learn?
  - [1.1.1 How do we Learn?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning/1-1-1-how-do-we-learn.md)
  - [1.1.2 Memory and the Brain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning/1-1-2-memory-and-the-brain.md)
  - [1.1.3 Cognitive Overload & Desirable Difficulties](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning/1-1-3-cognitive-overload-and-desirable-difficulties.md)
- 1.2 Powerful Learning
  - [1.2.1 Retrieval Practice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning/1-2-1-retrieval-practice.md)
  - [1.2.2 Metacognition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning/1-2-2-metacognition.md)
  - [1.2.3 Spacing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning/1-2-3-spacing.md)
- 1.3 Learning Tips for Home
  - [1.3.1 Learning Tips for Home](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-talking-to-parents-about-learning/1-3-1-learning-tips-for-home.md)