I'm an intelligent person. Why can't I remember this technology 'stuff'?

Do you feel like you have a terrible memory when it comes to technology?  Do your kids/family give you a hard time that you can't remember what they told you a few days ago? Do you wonder what is wrong with your brain, that it can't seem to 'get a handle' on anything technology-related?

So often, clients come to iTandCoffee for a class or appointment and, when they return again, are most apologetic (and often frustrated) that the can't remember anything about what we covered previously. Many will confess that they 'haven't touched' their device or have had very little chance to re-inforce what was previously learned. They will so often say that feel so hopeless at not being able to remember technology-related learnings. 

It's normal to forget!

Well, the good news is that these clients are completely normal. If you feel this way, you too are completely normal!

While some people have a 'brain' for technology and tend to remember and learn technology 'stuff' more easily, there is a well-know principle describing why we don't retain information.

It is called the Forgetting Curve or the Curve of Forgetting, illustrated by the diagram above.

What is the Forgetting Curve?

This diagram represents how, if we don't revise/re-inforce/practise what we learn very soon after we learn it (or are shown it), it is as if we never learned it.  

If we learn something one day and only get to return to it 6 days later, we will generally find we have no (or very little) recollection of what we were taught.

But does the Forgetting Curve apply to me?

This diagram is shown to school and university students to explain why they need to revise, revise, revise. The same diagram applies for the rest of us too.

When I show clients this diagram and describe its meaning, their relief is palpable - the realisation that they are not stupid, but that they just don't use the technology often enough to re-inforce learnings. The solution is to practice, practice, practice! 

How come the kids find technology so easy?

The 'digital natives' from the younger generations are on their devices constantly, and have a natural curiosity and confidence that allows them to explore and understand their devices.

Those who are not 'digital native's are not permanently connected to such devices and make less frequent use of them, making it harder to remember how to do things on these devices.

Added to this, lack of confidence and stress over technology (and having to ask impatient family members for help) can impede learning and greatly increase the 'rate of forgetting'.

Understanding and patient help is available ...

At iTandCoffee, we understand how hard it is to remember all that you learn. So we offer patient, plain-language classes and one-on-one assistance. Added to this, we also provide lots of resources to assist you after your time with us, including hard-copy guides, videos, customised notes, and more - to help you review and revise what you learned. 

Talk to us how we can help to get more from your technology, through classes or one-on-one help. We can come to you if you can't get to our shop at Glen Iris*.

Call 1300 885 420 or 03 9886 0814 or email enquiry@itandcoffee.com.au.

* Depends on your location - ask us.