Final answer:
HOMES is a mnemonic device used for recalling the five Great Lakes, representing Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior, aiding in encoding information into long-term memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The acronym HOMES used by Mr. Romano to help his students remember the names of the five great lakes is a type of mnemonic device.
A mnemonic device is an aid that helps us organize and recall information. In this case, HOMES is an acronym where each letter stands for a lake: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.
Mnemonic devices like these are especially useful when trying to retain larger bits of information into long-term memory. Other types of mnemonic devices include acrostics, jingles, and rhyming couplets, which can all be tailored to personal significance for easier recall.