In the current educational system, students are often required to memorize large amounts of material, which can become a barrier due to the volume of information that must be retained at once.
Material stored only in short-term memory is ineffective without sufficient repetition and attention to embed it in long-term memory. Thus, new learning methods that can better retain material are necessary.
A team of UGM students has discovered a new, more engaging, and effective way to influence students’ learning processes. They created the Aromatic Book (Arobook), which uses scents to stimulate memory.
The choice of aroma as the book’s main feature is based on scents’ proven ability to influence mood and strengthen memory.
“We are trying to combine aromatherapy with cognitive science to create a book that stimulates memory through scent and special sketches on each page,” said Ulfa Zain Latifa in a statement to reporters on Friday (Aug. 2).
In addition to Latifa, the team includes Chiara Aura Fajrin (Chemistry 2022), Afiandina Sukma (Chemistry 2022), Riyani Ayu Lestari (Pharmacy 2022), and Elgita Kisti (Statistics 2022), under the guidance of Ani Setyopratiwi.
Latifa explained that the Arobook has special sketches designed to stimulate memorization and help students summarize the material.
“With this innovation, we aim to provide an innovative solution in education to find a more holistic, interesting, and effective learning approach,” she said.
Latifa further explained that they chose books as the medium because they are practical and necessary for daily learning. Currently, the Arobook has two scent variants: lavender and lemon.
“Lavender was chosen for its calming effects and ability to increase focus, while lemon is used to trigger memory processes and reduce stress during learning,” she explained.
The Arobook also aims to reduce paper usage and replace it with other materials to support environmental preservation. According to Riyani Lestari, another team member, much of the paper used today comes from wood, and its large-scale use decreases wood availability.
“Our team is taking proactive steps by using waste paper and corn husk waste as raw materials for this project,” Lestari explained.
The Arobook is planned to be marketed to schools, targeting students from elementary to high school levels. Currently, the project is still in the development phase and requires a lengthy process for formulation, production, and feasibility testing to produce a high-quality product.
“The team plans to continue developing this concept by expanding the available scent variations and applying advanced technology in book design,” said Lestari.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Editor: Gusti Grehenson