Why is 3D so Good for Learning:Episodic Memory

Episodic memory is information stored in person’s long term memory that receives and stores information about temporally dated episodes or events and temporal-spatial relations among those events. In other words, episodic memory contains information about life experiences–information that is associated with a particular time or place. The information that you were in Philadelphia for New Years eve celebrating at Penn’s Landing is episodic memory. (Source: Cognitive Processes by Bourne, Dominowski, Loftus, Healy 2nd ed. 1979–old grad school book.)

Here is how Wikipedia defines Episodic memory.

Think about it. You are able to remember certain times and places because they have particular meaning such as a major sports event, a reunion with lost relatives or even a particularly compelling instructional event. Episodic memories are stored in such a way that each memory is identified by a personal “tag.” Typically, such memories are recalled through association with a particular time or place and tend to be vivid as they are recalled.(source: Learning and Instruction:Theory into Practice, 3rd ed. Gredler, 1997)

With 3D virtual worlds, the possibility of creating episodic memory is very strong. The worlds have the visual and temporal-spatial relations to provide a strong, rich association between what you are doing in the event and your long-term memory. Often it is difficult to remember what was discussed or reviewed in class but it is far easier to recall, the look of the classroom, the position of the instructor’s desk and the location of the door.

With 3D learning, the visual cues are established in the mind of the learner and if the experiences are geared toward real life applications, then the memories of the learner will be strong and properly associated with what he or she needs to do in a particular location. The importance of episodic memory for learning is to provide a schema for the learner which enables him or her to quickly and easily recall information related to the application of knowledge to a particular situation.