Sleep and memory

Step 1 Warm-up recall

From Module 5: what does a stall in the teaching test show?

Your answer

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Step 2 Learning goal

By the end of this lesson you can:

• say what sleep does for memory (Foundation);
• read a two-group table (Core);
• count sleep hours from clock times (Core).

Step 3 A familiar example

Notes typed into a computer need saving before they last. Sleep is part of how the brain saves what you learned that day.

Step 4 Clear explanation

During sleep the brain replays and reorganises what it took in while awake, a process called consolidation. In a review of the research, Diekelmann and Born (2010) concluded that sleep supports the stabilising of new memories. Sleep also restores attention, which Module 2 showed is limited.

The invented table shows the typical pattern: the group who slept after learning recalled more the next day, 75 − 55 = 20 points more. Real studies vary in size and method, but the direction is well supported. This does not mean that a long sleep replaces study; it means that a late night spent studying can cost more recall than it adds.

Sleep needs vary between people and ages, so there is no single correct number. Count your own: if you go to bed at 23:15 and wake at 06:45, that is 7 hours 30 minutes. A sensible habit is to finish new learning earlier and use the evening for a short review. See working memory for how tiredness reduces the amount you can hold in mind.

Step 5 Worked example (4 marks)

A student goes to bed at 23:15 and wakes at 06:45. How long is the sleep?

1. From 23:15 to midnight is 45 minutes. (1 mark)
2. From midnight to 06:45 is 6 hours 45 minutes. (1 mark)
3. Add: 45 minutes + 6 h 45 min = 7 h 30 min. (1 mark)
4. Answer: 7 hours 30 minutes. (1 mark)

Step 6 Learner practice (instant-marked)

Step 7 Recap

• Sleep consolidates memory and restores attention.
• A slept group typically recalls more the next day.
• Count sleep hours from clock times.

Step 8 Exit ticket (ungraded)

Bed at 22:45 and up at 06:15: how long is the sleep?

Your answer

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Step 9 Go further (Extension)

Count your own sleep for three nights and note one change you could make.