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A wide range of memory techniques is used in schools to help students retain more information. Some of these are memory improvement and thinking techniques and memory improvement games. However, these techniques won’t produce identical results for every student. Much of this is due to the fact that students have different learning styles. People generally tend to use one of three main learning styles: visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. Identifying your primary learning style will help you to determine what memory technique would be suitable for you.

Visual Learners

Visual learners are those people who learn more through printed information, figures, notes, and images. Visual learners usually take notes during discussions and they tend be successful in written communication. 65% of the population is composed of primarily visual learners.

When dealing with visual learners, educators should create explicit visual aids and give students enough time to copy lectures. If you are a visual learner, use the technique of visualization to store memory. Images should be unique and identifiable, something that would stand out from other things that are usually seen. You can do this by creating mental images with an exaggerated size or by making the picture funny.

You can also try the “loci” method. This method (also known as the Journey Method) involves creating a mental map and attaching information to images of the things you usually pass along the route. Think of the regular routes you take, perhaps from your house to your school. As you travel, take a look at the buildings, restaurants, houses, or other landmarks that you can easily see. Attach the information that you want to memorize to these objects. Information will be impressed on your brain deeper as you pass along that route in your mind.

Auditory Learners

Auditory learners benefit more from listening to spoken information. They prefer to listen to lectures or audio recordings rather than reading. At times, they read aloud to understand the material they are studying. It is believed that auditory learners have greater chances to become articulate speakers. They usually comprise 30% of the population.

Alphabet Pegs is a good tool for auditory learners. It works by attaching a word to a rhyming letter of the alphabet. This is truly helpful when you are to memorize a list. Singing the information you need to memorize may sound ridiculous but it does have a great advantage for auditory learners.

Kinesthetic Learners

These are the type of people who learn primarily by doing things. They comprise 5% of the population. Teaching kinesthetic learners should include touching, movement, imitation, and practice. Memory improvement games are good tools for kinesthetic learners since they require participation.

Although most people use one of these three learning techniques as their primary method, you should look for memory improvement software that incorporates all three, because each technique reinforces the other, no matter which one you use the most. Ultimate Memory is a good example of a software program that includes all three facets of learning in its design, making it suitable for anyone who wants to improve memory skills.