It’s incredible to uncover how our brain works, which once done, huge step for human beings. But still a ton of people who learn their second or third language not at the golden age can utilize the language freely as a native. When set in a place only the second language speaking, you’re pushed to learn and greater and faster improvement are made than only in language courses.

This proves how important it is to look after our babies and give them everything we possibly can to help them become happy adults. I’d like to take a moment to draw attention to Australia’s under-recognised childcare system. It always amazes me that people complain bitterly about the cost of child care, but it is this grossly underpaid industry that can ensure our babies get the best possible care available. Child care workers are highly trained in helping our babies learn, are taught the latest and greatest in cognitive development theory, and some of our babies spend up to a third of their time with carers. I don’t think our society praises these people enough for the great work they do. Child care is not a job for dummies, it’s probably one of the most important jobs out there.

here are some more figures on the critical period of language with colleagues following a discussion we had on this topic this morning and saw that it is in one of Patricia Kuhl’s papers here, if anyone is interested: www.life-slc.org/docs/Kuhl-brainmechanisms2010.pdf. It’s a fascinating article she wrote on this topic for Neuron Review.

When conventionally studied, we would never expect electronic games as a form of art. Yet upon further inspection, we cannot deny that modern electronic games contain many elements of what we would traditionally consider an art form. In fact, today’s top rated video games incorporates traditional forms of art, such as music, literary plots, and graphical art.

Video games are becoming so much more than what they were, and better than what other forms of contemporary entertainment has to offer. Where else can you interact with and change the plot of an epic story? Human imagination cannot be expressed more beautifully in the designs of modern games, like Flower, Fallout, and Peter Molyneux’s own Fable franchise (just to name a few good games that alliterate).

One of the largest drawbacks to computers is their ability to interact with us is limited to monitor, projectors, keyboard, mice, etc. all of which are fairly limited in use. Computers themselves know little about us and our actions. Games and experiments like this provide an opportunity for us to learn to create computer systems that CAN interact with us through voice and body language. There is also rudimentary efforts here to allow the system to learn/grow through interaction with us.

In the long run this could be revolutionary in how we interact with computers, having them be able to “talk” to us and understand our movements and actions. Think of the “aware” computers in star trek that you can just talk to and discuss problems with…

In order to reach some of those more difficult goals, steps like this need to be made. It has promise, and may lead to some surprising business applications.

I see a chance for programmers. Instead of programming all variables and conditionals, you could take your car on a trip and learn it to react in a proper way. Best driver in the country programmed into your board computer. Best teachers in the classes, better than any of us and much cheaper. All community of virtual personalities to help our disabilities. Developing this technology for games is only one step in many others to follow. It may begin as a game but I am convinced it does not end there.

In psychology, memory is an organism’s mental ability to store, retain and recall information. Traditional studies of memory began in the fields of philosophy, including techniques of artificially enhancing the memory. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grZuwo_YlY0

There are several ways to classify memories, based on duration, nature and retrieval of information. A basic and generally accepted classification of memory is based on the duration of memory retention, and identifies three distinct types of memory: sensory memory, short term memory and long term memory.

Memorization is a method of learning that allows an individual to recall information verbatim. Rote learning is the method most often used. Methods of memorizing things have been the subject of much discussion over the years with some writers, such as Cosmos Rossellius using visual alphabets. The spacing effect shows that an individual is more likely to remember a list of items when rehearsal is spaced over an extended period of time. In contrast to this is cramming which is intensive memorization in a short period of time. Also relevant is the Zeigarnik effect which states that people remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed ones.

In March 2007 German researchers found they could use odors to re-activate new memories in the brains of people while they slept and the volunteers remembered better later.

The best way to improve memory seems to be to increase the supply of oxygen to the brain, which may be accomplished with aerobic exercises; walking for three hours each week suffices, as does swimming or bicycle riding. One study found that eating frequently such as five small meals a day promotes a healthy memory by preventing dips in blood glucose, the primary energy source for the brain.