Blog 3: 2/4/2019
Externalizing to reduce memory load is a cognitive activity that involves “Transforming knowledge into external representations to reduce memory load” (Preece, Rogers & Sharp, 2015, p. 93). This is a representation of external cognition that involves outwardly expressing one’s internal thoughts in a way that relieves one’s mind to focus on other things.
Reflection on Topic
- Before reading this chapter on cognitive aspects, I did not have a name for my habit of writing out the things that were running through my mind on paper for later reference. I have been doing this practice of externalization for years now with the specific goal of freeing my mind of important tasks and things to remember without forgetting them completely. Now I know that this is what is referred to as “externalizing to reduce memory load” (93).
- This representation of external cognition is very helpful because “Memory load reduces users’ capacity to perform the main task” (University of Texas School of Biomedical Informatics). Whether one is externalizing thoughts to save for later or to compile notes on the task at hand, it can be very beneficial to declutter one’s brain to stay focused.
- Below is an example of lecture notes that a student has created to externalize their memory load. With these notes, they were able to retain information from the lecture while keeping their mind clear to process new information to add to their notes as the lecture continued.
My Thought
“The practice of notetaking has always made a significant impact on the way that I remember information. Whether they are lecture notes or lists that I have created for myself as reminders of what I need to accomplish, I have learned that this an important cognitive aspect that is a form of externalization to reduce memory load. Without this practice I know for certain that much of what I read and think would remain passive and get displaced by new thoughts, even if they are of less importance.” (Ingrid Bright, 2019)
Reference List
- Preece, Rogers & Sharp, (2015). Interaction and Design: Beyond human-computer interaction. West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Minimize Memory Load – Design Principles – General Design Principles & Guidelines – Designing for Usability – EHR Usability – NCCD – The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Biomedical Informatics. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2019, from https://sbmi.uth.edu/nccd/ehrusability/design/guidelines/Principles/memory.htm
- Notes on Effective Note Taking [Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2019, from https://www.vcestudyguides.com/blog/notes-on-effective-note-taking
Ingrid Bright 