Attention and Memory

Attention and memory are some of the most important parts about information processing. Attention is focusing on a topic or taking notice of something around. There are different types of attention. One type is selective attention. Selective attention is paying attention to some things and ignoring others. Divided attention is doing more than one thing at the same time. Sustained attention is that you are able to stay on something for a long period of time. Executive attention is planning, paying attention to goals, error detection, monitoring progress, and dealing with difficult circumstances. Divided attention is also known as multitasking. Adolescents may have troubles multitasking when trying to solve a complex homework problem. Memory is all the information people have taken in over time. Short-term memory is memory that is only retained for thirty seconds. A way to test short-term memory is a memory span task. Using this task will increase your short-term memory in early childhood and continues to increase in older children and adolescents, but a lower rate than as younger child. Working memory is your brain working through decisions, solving problems and understanding a reading. Long-term memory is large amounts information that you can remember for a long period of time. It depends on the learning activities engaged in when an individual is learning and remembering information (Pressley & Hilden, 2006).

            

In my math classroom I will not allow my students to be on their phones or other distracting electronics while taking notes or doing homework. Also, to help my students get their short-term memory better I will have memory span task at the beginning of each class everyday.      
Working Memory: