(From the Information Processing PowerPoint)

There are many different theories for how students learn. One of them for example is information processing. This process is made up of three different stages. These stages explain how students process and remember information. As well as how much they can remember.

The first stage is sensory memory, which follows the input. This stage has a duration of less than a second but has unlimited capacity. This stage uses the five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. As we go through the day we are retaining information from our environment everyday. To be able to move to the second stage, the students must pay attention.

The next stage of information processing is working memory. This stage can hold up to seven plus or minus two bits of information. The information lasts for approximately 30 seconds. Rehearsal can help hold information but will not necessarily move to long-term memory. Also, chunking additionally helps with working memory. An example of working memory is a teacher explaining the directions for a project. For the students to know the instructions they have to pay attention or they will be lost.

Lastly, the third stage for processing information is long-term memory. This stage has unlimited capacity and last forever. Connecting new information to prior knowledge will help move that information into long-term memory. This stage stores information in the brain and will be retrieved at any time when it is necessary.