About learning and memory

Learning and memory describe the ability to take in, process, store, and recall information. This may be information that we have heard (for example, spoken instructions) or seen (for example, being shown the location of items). Learning and remembering information relies on many different skills. 

First, we need to take in the new information. This relies on sensory processes (for example, hearing, seeing, touching) and cognitive processes (for example, paying attention, concentrating, processing information quickly, and storing information in an organised way). Once information is learned, we also need to be able to get that knowledge from our memory stores.

It is common for students to differ in the way they learn information. Some students are very good at learning verbal information, which means that may only need to be told something once for them to recall it. Others may be better at learning and recalling things they have seen.

Many students with disability need support with learning and memory. These could include students with a learning difficulty, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sensory sensitivities or on the autism spectrum. Some students with these challenges might find it hard to concentrate for long periods, take in and process information, or need more time to learn.