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SuperNova · 08-15-2009, 03:03 PM

Hi Dulaney - sorry if this has already been said - I don't have time to read all the responses to your original post.

I struggled with memory all my life, despite a genius IQ. I had always thought I was stupid until last year I went to a neuro-psych who helped me work out what the problem was.

Essentially, I am extremely, extremely kinesthetic in my learning style. Unless I can apply a concept in some practical, experiential, three-dimentional way, then I have almost no chance of retaining it for more than a few hours. I have no problem UNDERSTANDING it, but I lose it so darn quickly.

Conceptual information (like words on a page, for example) is retained in your semantic memory. Maybe your semantic memory is just a little challenged like mine? That doesn't mean that you can't learn - you just need to DO something with any new information.

Here's a good example of what I mean... I spent my entire school life looking at world maps, desperately trying to remember where the continents and countries were and was always soooo perplexed that I could never remember. At the age of 32, I picked up a 3D globe and sat with it, turning it around in my hands for about 20 minutes and looking at all the locations. Since that day (about a year ago) I've never forgetten exactly where every country is on the map, how big they are, the distance between them etc etc. Its burned in my brain now! Such a simple solution :-)

You'll find lots of tips and tricks online for Kinesthetic learning. Have fun!

08-15-2009, 03:03 PM	#22 (permalink)
SuperNova Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 23	Hi Dulaney - sorry if this has already been said - I don't have time to read all the responses to your original post. I struggled with memory all my life, despite a genius IQ. I had always thought I was stupid until last year I went to a neuro-psych who helped me work out what the problem was. Essentially, I am extremely, extremely kinesthetic in my learning style. Unless I can apply a concept in some practical, experiential, three-dimentional way, then I have almost no chance of retaining it for more than a few hours. I have no problem UNDERSTANDING it, but I lose it so darn quickly. Conceptual information (like words on a page, for example) is retained in your semantic memory. Maybe your semantic memory is just a little challenged like mine? That doesn't mean that you can't learn - you just need to DO something with any new information. Here's a good example of what I mean... I spent my entire school life looking at world maps, desperately trying to remember where the continents and countries were and was always soooo perplexed that I could never remember. At the age of 32, I picked up a 3D globe and sat with it, turning it around in my hands for about 20 minutes and looking at all the locations. Since that day (about a year ago) I've never forgetten exactly where every country is on the map, how big they are, the distance between them etc etc. Its burned in my brain now! Such a simple solution :-) You'll find lots of tips and tricks online for Kinesthetic learning. Have fun!