memorization/anyone else?

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(I suspect asperger's in myself.)

I got high grades in school, natl honor society, honor roll...the whole shebang. I've always been good at memorization but poor in application of what I've memorized. For example, I was able to memorize the algebraic formulas but when it came to applying them, I was lost. (I barely scraped by with a C in algebra.) On the other hand, I got good grades in geometry because it was mostly memorization. I have studied foreign languages...after all these years, I can still pass those Spanish grammar quizzes with flying colors....but I cannot speak the language. I am fascinated by grammar rules, though.

Yeah, I can memorize how to do a process in math/science, but I can't fully understand the concepts enough to solve application problems.

I am quite good with memorization unless it is memorizing names and words. I also have a great memory for what I visualize, so if I visualize the concept in action then I won't be likely to forget it any time soon. My test scores are all very good, but my anxiety issues make it harder to do the rest of the work so my grades are pretty bad. I can grasp a concept very easily but in my way of thinking it's really hard to describe said concept without thinking about it for ages or doing some scripting.

I remember everything and am extremely good at maths, history and general knowledge. Often compared to rainman and can do extraordinary mental calculations.

I am the opposite. I memorize poorly but if it's applicable knowledge, I will learn it.

I'm good at memorization, and memorized the multiplication tables early on, but when it came to applying concepts in algebra and geometry, I struggled and barely made it out of geometry with a C-. I know people love to complain about Common Core math, but from what I've seen about that way of teaching algebra and geometry, I realize it's more compatible with my learning style. Had they had Common Core when I was in school, I might have had better math grades in high school, and might have graduated from high school with a 4.0 instead of a 3.3. While I did end up graduating with honors, I was still a disappointment to my dad because I wasn't a straight A student.

Mmm, yes, my memorisation is great, but only if I'm able to visualise the content in a way one might "remember" walking a certain route to a common destination. Hmm, I don't think I explained that correctly.

For instance, I love to learn words and extend my vocabulary (applying the words is whole other thing), and one of the greatest means of doing so - for me - is visualising the words in a certain context. In example of this I have many very strong mental connections ... one of my favourites is the word "Portend", which I "saved" in my mind by the image of a seaside dock leading out into the water, with a sign at the end of the walkway which was a warning of rough waters - a sign at the END of the PORT, WARNING of SOMETHING.

Interestingly, I find my memory stores these things in exactly the same way, or in exactly the same place as memories I find myself recalling about childhood and the sort - this can sometimes prove ... peculiar ... because I write novels and stories and the visualisation when writing is axiomatically vivid ... and when recalling details ... I might confuse memories from real life with memories from places or situations I created through the pen!

My memory is very good. I can put myself into a sort of memorization "mode" and then I can memorize things very quickly. I've been able to do it since childhood. This works well when I need to pass an exam. But I also tend to forget things that I don't use very quickly.

I don't have any trouble applying information that I've memorized. I generally only have trouble learning things that I find boring, because I'm unable to focus.

My memory has always been very good, unsure as to whether it is because of what I have or because I suffered severe head trauma when I was younger.

I'm pretty sure head trauma doesn't give one a good memory. It's likely the opposite.

Actually it can.

Maybe a certain theory can help you a bit?
It is Experiental learning by David Kolb

That says to learn something you have to do 4 steps:

- observe and reflect (watch somebody speak spanish)
- theorize (if I use a sentence like this... or if I use this word I can get the message across)
- experiment (trying to speak spanish)
- doing something for real (speaking spanish)

Most people are good in one or two of the steps, what is called a learning style. To really learn something (to apply your knowledge) you have to do the other steps as well. But when you are not good with this, you have to get experience in the other steps as well.
Unfortunately a lot of education focus only on a few of the steps and not all.

In your case that would mean you have to observe people speaking Spanish (youtube, children's tv) and try to translate it or read children's books

In my case it means I sometimes need to get additional material to learn something better.



About my memory, it differs a lot. Some things I can remember in (every tiny) details, other things I cannot get properly into my head. My long-term memory is a lot better than short term.

I'd probably err towards it just being natural though my memory.

Funny, I had very similar learning patterns in high school. Suffered badly with all maths except Geometry, which I did excellent in. Also was very quick to pick up on languages, Spanish in particular. Not sure if it was my ability to memorize however.

I know for me it's active interest. When I am interested, I am a thirsty sponge soaking up every drop with no effort. When I am not interested, I am a brick. I will not soak up anything no matter how long I sit in it. It just won't get in there.

I can vividly remember things about baseball from 20-30 years ago like they were yesterday. All sorts of history, facts, trivia, stats etc. Because I love it. But when it comes to just about anything useful, no good.

I was the opposite. I hated memorizing things, but I picked up concepts immediately. So math was really easy for me but I wasn't good at foreign languages because I hated memorizing nouns and irregular verbs. Of course, having no interest in foreign languages probably didn't help! Like another poster I have a lot of trouble learning something if I don't want to learn it, and little trouble if I do.