When I was an A&P student; having to memorize all those latin-based names for muscles, bones, etc I learned them based on movement. It got me through the harsh exams. What's a prof gonna do?

Hi Kelly,

Does that mean you stood-up during a test and started dancing?

How'd you create a relationship between a specific muscle/bone and movement?

I didn't have to stand up, but I would move A LOT. A simple example: levalator scapula (the muscle that lifts your shoulder blade) the latin "to lift" (I believe... it's been YEARS) I memorized it by shrugging my shoulders. I remember doing that during the exam - and others. :) Make sense?

Definitely does.

I am a dance teacher in a Montgomery County Public School and firmly believe in movement for memorization concept. I myself have had the experience of having taken an A&P course in my dance education and moving for memorization. I have also seen how students, particularly students who have learning disabilities, benifit from using movement as a learning tool. I would be willing to bet that any teacher that would see the benifit of moving to a student would not deny that student movement even at test time. Perhaps even many teachers would benifit from professional development explaining this teaching tool. Now I have an idea!

its context dependent recall, and why we were always taught to revise for exams sitting down in a quiet room. and why i practice for seminars standing and moving around.

Erin,

Thanks for your thoughts about using movement as a memorization and learning tool.

I found out yesterday that Tacoma Park, MD-based Liz Lerman Dance Exchange offers programs along the lines you describe. I'm going to ask them more about their programs today.