Rate of Memorization Model Human learning is, to say the least, an extremely complicate...

Rate of Memorization Model

Human learning is, to say the least, an extremely complicated process. The biology and chemistry of learning is far from understood. While simple models of learning cannot hope to encompass this complexity, they can illuminate limited aspects of the learning process. In this lab we study a simple model of the process of memorization of lists (lists of nonsense syllables or entries from tables of integrals).

The model is based on the assumption that the rate of learning is proportional to the amount left to be learned. We let L(t) be the fraction of the list already committed to memory at time t. So L = 0 corresponds to knowing none of the list, and L = 1 corresponds to knowing the entire list. The differential equation is

Your report: In your report, you should give your data in Parts 1 and 3 neatly and clearly. Your answer to the questions in Parts 2 and 3 should be in the form of short essays. You should include hand- or computer-drawn graphs of your data and solutions of the model as appropriate. (Remember that one carefully chosen picture can be worth a thousand words, but a thousand pictures aren’t worth anything.)

Repeat the process in Part 1 on two of the other lists and compute your k-value on these lists. Is your personal k-value really constant, or does it improve with practice? If k does improve with practice, how would you modify the model to include this?