Let's clear up some common misunderstandings about retrieval practice.
Misunderstanding Retrieval Practice
Why Isn’t researchED More Popular in the US…Yet?
“ ‘I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin.’ - Neo” - Tom Bennett ResearchED founder, Tom Bennett, spoke these words at the conclusion of the latest researchED conference in the United States (October 7 in Brooklyn, NYC). ResearchED... Continue Reading →
Easy Application of Spaced Practice in the Classroom
I’ve written at length about many learning strategies (dual coding and retrieval practice, for example) that positively impact our student’s retention of material. Perhaps one of the toughest learning strategies to ‘show’ your students so they understand its importance is spaced practice. By definition, it can take days, weeks, or months to demonstrate its positive... Continue Reading →
Color Coding Recall Attempts to Assess Learning
Due to Hurricane Irma, I have not seen my students in four days. We are right in the middle of the most difficult unit of study for the entire year. To combat this difficulty, I make things easier...but not in the way you may be thinking. I make it easier with more frequent low-stakes assessments... Continue Reading →
Student Assessment of Learning in the Classroom
In my AP Psychology classroom, most of my students are great at memorizing facts and regurgitating them on quizzes/tests. I spend a considerable amount of time introducing learning strategies to my students and incorporating them into their studying/practicing habits. I discuss this further here and here. Under the umbrella of discussing learning strategies with my... Continue Reading →
Learning Myths vs. Learning Facts
*The following article originally posted on the American Psychological Association's Psych Learning Curve website on July 17, 2017: http://psychlearningcurve.org/learning-myths-vs-learning-facts/ Unless you’ve been under a rock, avoiding the most infamous jargon of education, you’ve heard the term ‘learning styles’. It has become quite the buzzword in the last decade or so and is almost said with... Continue Reading →
Inspiring Student Buy-In with Retrieval Practice or Channelling Your Inner Knowledge Warrior
Disclaimer: I am not asserting the brain should be worked out like other muscles of the body. Thank you. When discussing retrieval practice, it is easy to focus on the ‘retrieval’ aspect of the learning strategy. It is much more interesting, I believe, to consider the neurological and biological side of the topic in relation to... Continue Reading →
Promoting Metacognition with Retrieval Practice in Five Steps
Let me put all the cards out on the table: I am a big believer in using researched/proven learning strategies to improve retention of classroom material. I have applied strategies in my high school Advanced Placement Psychology classes and seen notable improvements in three areas: Test scores Study habits Student’s understanding of their learning Improvement... Continue Reading →
Dual Coding in the Classroom
Let me begin by saying that dual coding, or at least my initial understanding of this learning strategy, is completely foreign to me. I am the antithesis of creative. While others were playing with action figures and creating distant galaxies to be conquered in their mind, I was outside playing some sport. Add to this... Continue Reading →
Retrieval Practice in the High School Classroom
One of the largest gaps in my students’ learning that I encounter regularly is a lack of study/learning skills. I am extremely fortunate to teach at a school that has high expectations for all and produces some amazing kids. About 90% of each graduating class attends a 2 or 4 year college/university every year with... Continue Reading →