Instructor Resource
Marla Reese-Weber and Cheryl Durwin, EdPsych Modules
SAGE Publishing, 2017
selective and can be guided by learners and teachers, individuals process information actively and learn
information with purpose, and that meaning is personally constructed by the learner and is influenced by
prior knowledge, experiences, and beliefs.
Learning Objective: 10-1: Describe the assumptions that underlie information processing approach
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Assumption of Information Processing Theory
Difficulty Level: Medium
2. Describe the types of memory and discuss the capacity and duration for each type of memory.
Ans: Memory involves a sequence of three stages: sensory memory, working memory, and long-term
memory. Raw sensory data from the environment enter sensory memory where it is initially captured as
fleeting sense memory. The capacity of sensory memory is unlimited but data are held only briefly. From
there, it can be processed into working memory, where it is encoded for storage in long-term memory and
later retrieval. Working memory holds five to nine chunks of information for a duration of 5–20 seconds;
however, information can be held in working memory indefinitely if it is actively being used, such as
through rehearsal. Long-term memory seems to have an unlimited capacity and is relatively permanent,
although difficulties can impede the retrieval of information.
Learning Objective: 10-3: Describe the function, capacity, and duration for three types of memory.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Memory
Difficulty Level: Medium
3. Contrast rehearsal and encoding strategies with respect to their effectiveness for storing information in
long-term memory.
Ans: The answers should indicate maintenance rehearsal when first encountering sensory data but
deeper processing is then needed. Elaborative rehearsal allows interpretation using prior knowledge to
make information more meaningful. Mnemonics lend meaningful structure to information that otherwise
does not have its own memorable structure. Organizational strategies such as chunking or hierarchies
can provide links to prior knowledge. Visual imagery is more easily remembered than words, though dual
encoding is best.
Learning Objective: 10-3: Describe the function, capacity, and duration for three types of memory.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Long-term Memory
Difficulty Level: Medium
4. In one to two sentences, describe a lesson in terms of the information that you wish students to store in
long-term memory. Then describe four different things you would do during the lesson to aid in that
storage. Include only one mnemonic strategy among your techniques.
Ans: The answers should describe maintenance and/or elaborative rehearsal, connection to prior
knowledge, meaningful encoding, a mnemonic strategy, use of visual or dual encoding formats, and
organizational strategies (e.g., chunking, hierarchies, schemas, etc.).
Learning Objective: 10-3: Describe the function, capacity, and duration for three types of memory.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Long-term Memory
Difficulty Level: Medium
5. Discuss the methods for getting and maintaining students’ attention.
Ans: The answers should indicate that teachers draw students’ attention to important concepts, facts, or
procedures to be learned and that they help students discriminate relevant from irrelevant information.
Teachers need to consider ways to plan for attention, use signals to direct students’ attention at the
beginning and throughout the lesson, use a variety of instructional methods to engage students, and
respect students’ attention limits.
Learning Objective: 10-4: Discuss the methods for getting and maintaining students’ attention.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Increase Attention
Difficulty Level: Medium