Re: [Phys-l] Memory and how it works

["John Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>]

This article is not necessarily in support of any particular pedagogy,
although it does provide a cognitive mechanism for why ILDs and Piagetian
surprise work.  I never claimed it supported anything.  It is actually a
cautionary tale for anyone who thinks their memory is extremely reliable.
We are not exempt from these findings.

This is actually cognitive science which is the bottom layer of research
which provides the mechanisms for how learning works.  While it is not the
original research papers, it is now the currently researched concept for how
long term memory works.  The original research papers are often locked up in
specific publications and are not on the web.

The article does provide the specific evidence for the new as of 2001 model
for how long term memory works.  Anyone who wants to understand how learning
works should look at cog sci as well as education articles.

Think of it as being like a textbook.  Texts explain things without being
original research, and they even pull rabbits from hats without
explanations.  Texts seldom reference the original research papers.  This
article actually gives better explanations than many texts I have seen.
Actually I have seen many texts that have a plethora of errors.  Oh, and
some others on the list have pointed out that this model of memory is now
being used in other realms.  So, OK, it is a science article written by a
science writer.  But I have read other articles in good science columns that
have mentioned this new research.  It is not a bunch of kooks, but rather
cutting edge legitimate research.  If you really want the original papers
just look up the authors and you can find them.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX

>  	The reference is to an article by a reporter named Kathleen
> McGowan.  Is this supposed to be in support of Physics Education
> Reserarch?  In mos disciplines that I try to follow, references are
> ardinarily made to original research (peer-reviewed)) publications.
>  				Regards,
>  					Jack
>
> "Trust me.  I have a lot of experience at this."
>  		General Custer's unremembered message to his men,
>  		just before leading them into the Little Big Horn Valley
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, 30 Sep 2009, John Clement wrote:
>
> > At one time I questioned whether a particular person accurately
> remembered
> > something that was said in a lecture.  So a bit of information about
> memory
> > might help people understand what actually goes on in your memory.
> >
> > Here is an article from Discover that might be helpful to one and all on
> > this topic.  It may also help some understand why some pedagogies work
> > better than others.
> >
> > http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/03-how-much-of-your-memory-is-
> true
> > John M. Clement
> > Houston, TX
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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