James conceives of memory as a command to call upon the various associations and reactions that we have stored in our brain. “Paths frequently and recently ploughed are those that lie most open, those which may be expected most easily to lead to results” (p. 59). Put simply – use it or lose it. By consistently recalling on information that is needed, you reinforce those memories and knowledge. For example, learning a foreign language and retaining it requires constant practice and use of that foreign language. Without it, that information becomes harder and harder to access over time, and is overtaken by more relevant information that is called upon more frequently.
In terms of aiding students with their memory, James calls for teachers to “impress the class through as many sensible channels as he can” (p. 68). This is referring to the various types of learning styles – the visual, the auditory, and the kinesthetic. Learning in these variety of ways not only appeals to the learner, but gives them a variety of opportunities and modes through which they can experience the material and make meaning of it. While one method may make the greatest impression on them, learning about it in a different way helps to widen those “ploughed paths” through which they can access that information at a later time. Going back to the foreign language example, using vocabulary through reading, speaking with others, and watching foreign language television immerses the student in the language in different ways and gives them different experiences to draw upon as part of their knowledge base.
James contends that memory cannot be improved overall, stating that “there can be no improvement of the general or elementary faculty of memory: there can only be improvement of our memory for special systems of associated things” (p. 61). I am inclined to disagree with James on this point. In essence, James is proposing that memory in one context does not impact memory in another context; however, wouldn’t exercising one’s memory by using different methods to improve associations impact one’s ability to use these same exercises in other contexts?
Wow - beautiful metaphor of ploughed paths that you elaborate on here. I think you're right that multiple channels digs a wider path. As for James' claim that we might have a certain quantity of memory capacity, not that he does not say memory ends there. As long as we can connect, we can improve our memory. In this way, you and James are agreeing - we can transfer by connecting.
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