The effects of mnemonics in an instruction based on elaboration theory on achievements of students and retention of learning

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the design on retention learning and achievement of students, which was formed by using mnemonics as cognitive strategy activators suggested by Elaboration Theory of Instruction (ETI). The sample of the study was composed by 54 secondary year students in two groups, who attend Ahi Evran Un., Faculty of Education, Social Sciences Teacher Ed. Dep., having ?Turkish Lang.I: Phonology and Morphology? course. In the study, test-retest-permanence test with control group research design was used. Before application, the groups were given pretest and after the application they were given final test. Three weeks after, the groups were given retention test. Pretest and retention test were the same but final test was equivalent test. In experimental group, Power Point presantation which is desing with elaboration theory of instruction and mnemonics was used but in the control group, traditional instruction was used. After variance and covariance analysis, experimental method was not only more effective on the achievements in knowledge and comprehension dimension but also it was more effective on the retention of knowledge dimension. On the other hand, there were no significant differences between experimental method and traditional method from the effectiveness point of view on the achievements of students and retention at the comprehension, practice and analyze dimension. In the light of these findings followings can be suggested: 1.The desing should be preferred for especially perform learning at information and comprehension dimension and retention at information dimension, which was formed based on elaboration theory of instruction with using mnemonics. 2.If mnemonics have contents that students have difficulty to remember, especially at information and comprehension dimension can be used and contribute their learning level. 3.Mnemonics should be examined again in detail by studying on different courses and doing more exercises.