5
Sensory Learning Preferences
FIGURE 1-2 Visual learning strategies help people who learn best by seeing the information represented visually.
Another form of commonly used mnemonic is the acronym . An acronym is a type of abbreviation created by making a word using the first letters or word parts in names or phrases. Following are examples of acronyms: FAQ— F requently a sked q uestions PIN— P ersonal i dentification n umber OLD CART— O nset, l ocation, d uration, c haracter, a ggravating factors, r elieving factors, t reatments The warning signs of malignant melanoma are shown by the abbreviation ABCD: A symmetry—One half of the mole does not match the other half. B order—The edges of the mole are irregular or blurred. C olor—The color varies throughout, including tan, brown, black, blue, red, or white. D iameter—The mole is larger than 6 millimeters. Memory palaces are a type of mnemonic said to have been used since ancient Greek and Roman times. This technique is also known as the method of loci; loci is Latin for locations. With this technique, you first visualize a location that you are extremely familiar with, such as your home. Next, mentally map out a typical walk through your home, noting distinctive objects or pieces of fur- niture you would see. The next step involves looking at the data you need to remember and creating an image in your mind that represents that data. The more bizarre, vivid, or memorable, the better! Mentally place each image along the path you are walking through your home. For example, when you need to memorize the terms for the instruments -scope, -tome, and -meter, you could first envision approaching your front door but replace the door with an image of a giant ruler made of meat to represent -meter, a measuring instrument. When you open your front door, step in, and turn right, you stop at a coat rack, but picture in its place a tuba wearing a giant pair of eyeglasses to represent -scope, a viewing instrument. As you continue walking straight ahead, you enter the kitchen where you find a knife standing on the counter, combing its hair. Comb rhymes with -tome, a cutting instrument. Continue placing mental images along the path through your home that you mapped out. Once all your data is placed, you’ll just need to walk through your memory palace in the same order each time, according to your study schedule. This method can be especially helpful if you need to remember things in a certain order.
Powered by FlippingBook