Learning & Memory | Aidan McDonagh | TEDxBangkokPatanaSchool

What are the factors that influence how we retain knowledge? Is it simply a function of understanding – that is, the better our understanding of the topic, the more likely we are to retain knowledge of it - or is there more to it than that? I am a teacher who has been wrestling with this question for the past five years since I began training to be a teacher in 2013 in England. I taught in London for four years and was involved in teaching mathematics, training teachers and raising standards of numeracy across the curriculum. All these experiences have taught me a lot about what effective teaching for retention looks like. Now, in 2018, I am in the final year of my Masters study in Mathematics Education. In my final report I write up my findings on this topic of memory and retention. My studies have directed me to the areas of Cognitive Science, Pedagogical Theory and Classroom Research. I believe that the answers I have found from both theory and practice will have a far-reaching impact on education. What are the factors that influence how we retain knowledge? Is it simply a function of understanding – that is, the better our understanding of the topic, the more likely we are to retain knowledge of it - or is there more to it than that?

I'm a teacher who has been wrestling with this question for the past five years since I began training to be a teacher in 2013. I taught in London for four years and was involved in teaching mathematics, training teachers and raising standards of numeracy across the curriculum. These experiences have taught me about what effective teaching for retention looks like.

Now, in 2018, I'm in the final year of my Masters study in Mathematics Education. In my final report I write up my findings on this topic of memory and retention. My studies have directed me to the areas of Cognitive Science, Pedagogical Theory and Classroom Research. I believe that the answers I've found from both theory and practice will have a far-reaching impact on education. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx