​

Hello dear learners,

Did you know that learning doesn't increase the capacity of your working memory, but instead, it enhances your long-term memory? And yet, nurturing your long-term memory is the secret to supercharging your working memory. Today, we'll explore how having a solid foundation of knowledge in long-term memory simplifies the process of learning more, allowing you to handle vast amounts of information with ease despite the size of your working memory

The Synergy of Working and Long-Term Memory

Working memory and long-term memory are not as separate as they might seem; they interact closely in our cognition. In "Uncommon Sense Teaching," Barbara Oakley highlights this point by referencing a conversation with researcher John Sweller. Sweller emphasizes that the dynamic relationship between working memory and long-term memory is crucial to understanding human cognition.

Working memory serves as a temporary workspace for processing and holding information, though it can only handle a limited amount at a time. Interestingly, its capacity is significantly enhanced by the wealth of information kept in our long-term memory.

You can visualize working memory as a small, bustling café with a limited seating capacity (four to seven items of information). Adjacent to this café is a vast library, representing long-term memory, filled with an extensive collection of knowledge. While the café (working memory) may be small, the interaction between its patrons and the visitors from the library (long-term memory) is constant and dynamic. The patrons exchange stories (information), and the more extensive the library's collection, the richer and more effective these interactions become.

This analogy exemplifies why stocking the shelves of your long-term memory is like curating the best books for your personal library. Each book (piece of knowledge) is not just stored; it's interlinked with others, forming a network of information. This network supercharges your working memory, allowing it to process and utilize information beyond its natural capacity. As education researcher Daisy Christodoulou points out:

Enhancing Your Long-Term Memory: Adding Volumes to Your Personal Knowledge Library

But how do you transfer information to our long-term memory, effectively expanding your knowledge library? The process involves encoding new information across different brain regions – some neurons react to visuals, others to sounds, and some to spatial layout. To solidify these memories, we employ spaced repetition, a method endorsed by learning scientists. This technique involves recalling information at gradually increasing intervals, reinforcing the memory and the cues associated with it, much like strengthening a muscle through exercise.

Because when you recall a memory, you reinforce it and its cue. With every additional retrieval, you strengthen the connection and can access your memory faster. If you don’t memorize facts to encode them into your long-term memory, you’ll never have the same processing fluency and thought quality as someone who has. It’s as if you’re trying to win a race walking barefoot while the other person sits on an e-bike.

By investing in your long-term memory, you're not just storing information; you're expanding the capabilities of your working memory, paving the way for a richer, more connected understanding of the world around you.

Until next time, keep nurturing your cognitive library. Happy learning :)

Featured Articles

Here's a collection of articles I wrote or that I enjoyed reading. All links to my articles are friend links, so you can read them without having a Medium subscription.

🧠 6 Evidence-Based Instructional Practices Drawn From Cognitive Science - These research-backed strategies have the capacity to help students learn and retain more information. (5 min by By Javier Arguello, Natalie Young on Edutopia)

💡 Prompt Like a Pro — A Beginner’s Guide to ChatGPT Mastery - Learn simple techniques and copy prompt structures to make large language models work for you. (8 min by Eva Keiffenheim)

🏫 Transforming Education Through Global Collaboration: The Medellín Challenge Journey. (7 min by Eva Keiffenheim with Gloria Figueroa/María Paulina on a New Education Story)

Learning Nuggets

✨ A Custom GPT that Might Become Your Favorite Learning Guide

I explored the public custom GPTs around education and learning. One GPT I really liked is "All-around Teacher (Learn Everything in 3 min)" It leverages a robust knowledge base to help you find entryways to topics in a concise 3-minute format. It's designed for lifelong learners seeking quick and tailored guidance across topics. You can use it here.

​

✨ Invitation to Big Education Conversation to celebrate Education Day

For International Day of Education next week Big Change, a catalyst for transforming education systems, has partnered with the Learning Planet Festival to host 4 calls on one big question - what do you believe is the purpose of education? Each call will be interactive and informative, including a live Big Education Conversation in breakout rooms and contextual insight from host partners.

• ​04:00 UTC - hosted by Learning Creates Australia (11:00 Bangkok, 15.00 Melbourne, NZ, 16.00 Fiji)
• ​09:00 UTC - with Dream a Dream, India (12.00 Nairobi, 14.30 Delhi, 16.00 Jakarta)
• ​14.00 UTC - with Big Change, England (09.00 NYC, 15.00 CET, Nigeria, 16.00 Beirut)
• ​19.00 UTC - with Remake Learning, U.S. and People for Education, Canada and Wom-En, Colombia (07:00 Kiribati, 11.00 LA, 14.00 Pittsburgh, Ontario, Bogotá, 15.00 Buenos Aires)

If you're interested in education systems change, conversations about purpose, or meaningfully connecting with changemakers from different countries, you will enjoy and be energized by it. I will join the calls at 9 and 14 UTC. Sign up free here: http://bit.ly/BECrelay​