Chunking Strategy

 

chunking

Information

 

Chunking refers to an approach for making more efficient use of short-term by grouping information. Chunking breaks up long strings of information into units or chunks.  The resulting chunks are easier to commit to memory than a longer uninterrupted string of information.

Good chunking facilitates comprehension and retrieval of information.

 

 

Chunking Strategy

Chunking is a strategy used to reduce the load as the learner processes information. The learner groups content into small manageable units making the information easier to process. Essentially, chunking helps in the by breaking long strings of information into bit size chunks that are easier to remember.

Chunking Strategy

 

Chunking Process

There are several steps to the chunking process. The number of steps you use will depend on the type information you are chunking.

  1. Break larger amounts of information into smaller units
  2. Identify similarities or patterns
  3. Organize the information
  4. Group information into manageable units

 

 

Chunking Information

Chunking is used most commonly to organize or classify large amounts of information, even when there are no obvious patterns. Occurrences of chunking as a memory device can be seen in the way information is grouped in our daily life.

 

 

Simple Chunking

The breaking down of seemingly random numbers into chunks makes the number easier to remember.

Examples:

  1. Phone numbers are not typically seen or remembered as a long string of numbers like 8605554589, but rather 860-555-4589.
  2. Birthdates are typically not recalled by 11261995, but rather 11/26/1995.

 

Letters can also be broken down into chunks helping to remember easier.

Example:

“XLETHIPSOXWHYMIX” is difficult to remember as a long string of letters, however if the letters are grouped or chunked, remembering them is easier. The breaking down of the letters into more “logical” chunks also makes it easier to remember.

 

X LET HIP SOX WHY MIX

 

 

Chunking Lists

Chunking can also work for lists. For example, a shopping list can be segmented into categories.

Chunked List

 

Chunking Processes

Chunking can also work for processes. For example, painting a room may be divided into three groups;

  1. Preparation
  2. Painting
  3. Clean-up

 

 

Chunking Process

Related Links

Thinking

Types of thinking

Critical thinking

Brainstorming

Blooms taxonomy

Blooms taxonomy revised

Mind mapping

Mind mapping tips

How to mind map

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email