Why is it so hard to remember important dates in history, but we can remember thousands of lyrics to songs? Mnemonic devices such as rhymes, songs, and acronyms help us to remember information. Mnemonic devices are little phrase or rhymes used as a memory tool. These devices can be used by students of all ages and all levels of study (Mastropieri, 1998).
I still remember the song that helped me to memorize the fifty states in the United States and the acronyms used to remember the order of operations and the colors that make up the rainbow.
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Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division and Subtraction
ROY G BIV
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet
There are many other mnemonic devices that help children and adults memorize information. Some of the other mnemonic devices are for the Great Lakes, Planets and Months of the year. As a child I remember thinking that these devices were the best! I struggled with memorizing information, however when I could think of fun sayings to help, it made it that much easier to remember them.
Mnemonic Devices and Executive Functions:
For children with executive function disorders, memorizing can be a difficult task for them. The instructional tool of mnemonic devices is exactly what these students need. They need assistance with memory, more specific working memory. Executive Function is a term used to describe a set of mental processes that helps us connect past experience with present action. We use executive function when we perform such activities as planning, organizing, strategizing and paying attention to and remembering details (NCLD, 2005) People with executive function problems have difficulty with planning, organizing and managing time and space. They also show weakness with “working memory” (or “seeing in your mind’s eye”), which is an important tool in guiding one’s actions (NCLD, 2005) Mneomic devices help students make connection to learning that stick in your brain. They also help make learning more personal. Students can come up with their own acronyms to remember topics or used ones that are already made.
What I think about mnemonic devices (both the positives and negatives)…
I have had wonderful experience with using mnemonic devices with my students in my class. To often we forget that we give them a lot of information to take in and comprehend. It is important to give mnemonic devices to children to help them remember information. We use mnemonic devices in math as memory tools. I tell my students that these tools are used to help you remember the steps of problems, but can’t always help you solve the problem. For example, we use a mnemonic device for long division.
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Divide, Multiple, Subtract, Check, Bring down and Repeat/Remainder.
My students are very good at long division because they can remember the steps, however some students still struggle on solving long division problems because of their knowledge of multiplication and division.
As great as mnemonic devices are we should not rely on mnemonic devices for every topic and every skill we are teaching. Mnemonic devices take time to create and learn. I also feel that sometimes mnemonic devices just help student memorize information and them do not allow students to become critical thinkers. It is important to use these devices when necessary and to not over use them so our students can become critical thinkers.
It is also important to remember that that mnemonic devices are skills that children and adults remember for a life time and that they are wonderful ways to remember information and organize information. Students love using them and should be taught the effective way to use them. I know as a kid I loved when my teacher taught me a mnemonic device. I have used them quite often and have passed them onto my own students!
Helpful Websites:
References
Mastropieri, M., & Scruggs, T. (1998). Enhancing school success with mnemonic strategies. Intervention in School and Clinic, 33, 201-208.
Meltzer, L. (2007). Executive Function in Education: From Theory to Practice.New York: Guilford Press.
NCLD, 2005. Executive Function Fact Sheet. Retrevied April 28, 2012 from http://www.ldonline.org/article/24880/.
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