Lesson 3 - Information Processing
Main focus = Memory

STARTER

A practical activity that, again, can be completed in the classroom [or if space is limited, a small area outside might be more appropriate] and is a good way to engage pupils in the topic in slide 13 of the presentation from lessons 1 and 2 - this is a simple practical task that can be used to reinforce the concept:

Take 6 tennis balls to the lesson [5 green, 1 orange/red]. Ask for 6 volunteers, 5 to line up against the white board facing the class, 1 to stand at the back of the classroom facing away from the other 5 volunteers [away from anything breakable!]. Give the 5 volunteers a green tennis ball each. On the teacher’s command/whistle, the volunteer is to turn around to try and catch one or more of the tennis balls that is to be thrown at them [via underarm throws] by the 5 volunteers.

The same process is to be completed again but this time the ‘catcher’ is to try and catch the tennis ball from only one of the volunteers [name to be called by teacher as all 5 balls are released].

The same process to be completed a final time but with one of the 5 ‘throwers’ to be given the orange ball by the teacher. The catcher is to be told they need to try and catch the orange ball only.

During the process the theory behind the selective attention process should be explained: when the catcher has to focus on catching a ball from the person whose name is called, they are receiving auditory information [input] and then have to select what is relevant [the stimulus - correct ball to catch] from the irrelevant information [background -the other tennis balls]. Apply the same to the colored tennis ball task.

MAIN ACTIVITY

Presentation: Information Processing - Memory

Pupils to work through the presentation taking notes where necessary. At the end of the theory involving the short term memory, complete this simple memory practical task: Teacher to bring to lesson a variety of different objects [can be sporting or non-sporting] but should not be seen by pupils until the task begins. Bring pupils around one table - they are to be given a short time [1 min] to try and remember as many items presented to them as possible. Give pupils 30 seconds before they can write down as many items as possible, then give a Q&A session to the group on how many items they have remembered.

• Will any of the information move to the long term memory?
• Did anyone use any kind of ‘method’ to help them remember [can introduce chunking, repeating as methods for improving memory]?

PLENARY

Get all pupils to stand up and use one of the tennis balls to throw to individual members of the class [if they drop the ball, they automatically lose their chance to answer a question] who then need to tell you something about information processing before they are able to sit down.