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Visual mnemonics to help remember historical info
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We have probably all heard about the saying, “a picture is worth 1,000 words” and this becomes apparent in the study habits of successful students.
How? The use of visual mnemonic devices can drastically increase retention for high school students.
Mnemonic devices are well known as great retrieval cues for a wide range of information.
They can be in the form of rhymes for historical events (In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue), acronyms for the treble staff (Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge), or even songs — every kid learns the alphabet through song.
Taking it to the next level, I encourage my history students at Shanghai Singapore International School to transform mnemonic devices into clear images in their head.
By closing their eyes and visualizing an image, the students can effectively recall the specific information related to that image very quickly.
One great example of a visual mnemonic is when my ninth-grade students need to remember the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
A simple picture of a fishing trawler dragging its net helps them recall that Territory, Reparations, Armed forces, War Guilt and League of Nations were the main terms that the Allied powers dragged out of Germany. TRAWL.
Or the three most important Greek philosophers in order? Picture three old guys in a SPA will help remember Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
Using visual mnemonics to remember a large amount of information is an effective learning method that I encourage my students to use.
If students can create their own images, often the more humorous the better, their ability to recall will increase even more. Besides, it is certainly better than trying to remember 1,000 words, right?
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