Virtual reality could be a huge win for memory-based training and education
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I read an article in the WSJ today about movies in virtual reality. Personally, I think this application of technology will go down the path of 3D movies. Interesting, but not the magic application of technology that causes billions of dollars of new commerce through increased ticket sales or 3D televisions flying off the shelves.
No, I think there is a much stronger commercialization potential in education.
I’ve been fascinated by a memorization technique I’ve known about for 3 decades, but have only recently been trying to implement in my life. I’m getting a little older, but I have found, like most people young and old, that memory is something you have to exercise like a muscle. You also have to use the right techniques to memorize data. Surely you’ve seen the “magic” of someone who can memorize a completely shuffled deck of cards in 2 minutes or less and recall the pattern with eerie accuracy. This isn’t magic, and it can be done by anyone who learns the right technique.
We are spatial creatures and we remember best when we learn and remember things in context. I’m sure you can recall in detail the last time you went to dinner (for example). You can probably recall where you parked, what the building looked like at that time of day, where the receptionist was located, the position you sat at the table in relation to the other guests, etc.
In a nutshell, memory experts use this natural spatial memory to their advantage in remembering the data in the correct order. They will pick a well known (to them) area as the anchor. Let’s say they start at their mailbox, walk to the path to the front door of the house taking note of the bushes and plants. They walk through the door and down the hall taking note of tables, chairs and pictures. They also have a well known route through the house and are very familiar with all of the objects along the way. When they memorize, they use the following technique. “King of Hearts in the mailbox, 3 of diamonds on the grass to the driveway, 4 of clubs on the top of the driveway, queen of spades in the bushes, etc.” This is much easier than trying to force a 2 dimensional list into your memory without an anchor. You can read more about one of the best over on Medium.
Has the light bulb gone off, yet? Imagine if your organization could develop a training program to increase the recall of important elements of your business. Do you think error rates would decrease? Would that increase your bottom line? Do you think creativity in the organization would increase? Could that result in new top line revenues or new organizational capabilities?
There are so many possibilities, in the corporate world as well as K-12 and post-secondary education. It’s staggering. I hope investments are channeled in this direction, and not into “yet another passive entertainment channel.” Ideas? Call me to set up a time to discuss.
© Mark Travis – All Rights Reserved http://www.travis-company.com
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