How to help people remember what they learn
Julie Schell, Director of OnRamps and Strategic Initiatives
Session Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to define the concept of retrieval
practice
Participants will be able to explain why retrieval practice
helps students remember what they learn more effectively
than traditional approaches to learning Participants will be able to compare and contrast 4
approaches to retrieval practice with traditional approaches
to learning Participants will be able to design an educational activity
using retrieval practice in a way that improves learning
transfer Study the passages at your
table.
You will be tested.
Don’t work with your neighbor.
What learning strategies did
you use to study this passage?
How well do you think you
know this material?
But I learned and succeed this
way, why can’t my students?
Why do students study so hard and fail
to remember what they learn?
Traditional strategies lead to a house of
cards.
1 big idea about student success
the way students study for success
doesn’t work
and they don’t even know it
and most of us don’t know it
A better way.
velcro theory of memory, Made to Stick
Maintenance rehearsal
A learning strategy that involves rehearsing or repetition without any
consideration of meaning or making connections to other information.
E. Bruce Goldstein
Elaborative rehearsal
A learning strategy that involves thinking about the meaning of an item
or making connections between the item and something you know.
Elaborating on what you know, adding additional details.
E. Bruce Goldstein
How can you
get learning to
stick together
for the long-run?
Retrieval Practice
A learning strategy that involves “the act of calling
information to mind rather than rereading it or
hearing it” or even elaborating on it.
Roediger & Butler, 2010
Retrieval Practice We miss the boat by using
retrieval“the
after
A learning strategy that involves
actlearning,
of calling
notthan
during
learning.
information to mind rather
rereading
it or
hearing it” or even elaborating on it.
Let’s try it!
Idea Exchange Design instruc2ons for studying the Basenji based on these strategies. The science of retrieval.
Retrieval practice
is the ticket
to “sticky learning.”
What are best practices in designing
educational experiences to incorporate
retrieval practice?
The Retrieval Practice Tetrafecta
Retrieval Practice Tetrafecta - Contrasting Case
Retrieval vs.
Rehearsal
calling information to mind, quizzing
restudying or reviewing information
Feedback vs.
No Feedback
immediate or delayed feedback
solitary review or quizzing without
feedback
Spaced vs.
Crammed
5 hrs over 3 days
5 hours over 1 day
Interleaved vs.
Blocked
ABCD ABCD
AA BB CC DD
Retrieval Practice Tetrafecta - Contrasting Case
Retrieval vs.
Rehearsal
Feedback vs.
No Feedback
Spaced vs.
Crammed
Interleaved vs.
Blocked
1. Identify body of content.
2. Identify what you want to stick.
3. Engage students in retrieval practice.
Is one retrieval enough?
Roediger & Butler, 2010
TIP: The more retrieval the better.
4. Provide a mechanism for feedback
TIP: Delayed feedback may have more
powerful effects than immediate
Roediger & Butler, 2010
5. Space the retrieval practice
Roediger & Butler, 2010
6. Interleave the practice
QUICK START GUIDE
1. Identify content area.
2. Identify what you want to stick.
3. Engage students in retrieval practice.
4. Provide a mechanism for feedback.
5. Space the retrieval practice.
6. Interleave the practice.
Roediger & Butler, 2010
More questions?
What do I use to engage students in retrieval
practice?
www.retrievalpractice.org
bit.ly/TgzIcQ
bit.ly/VnXtN5
More questions?
Multiple choice or short answer?
www.retrievalpractice.org
More questions?
How is retrieval different from “cold calling” or
class discussion?
www.retrievalpractice.org
More questions?
Does retrieval practice increase test anxiety?
www.retrievalpractice.org
More questions?
Should I grade retrieval practice?
www.retrievalpractice.org
Idea Exchange How can you use the science of retrieval to improve student success on your campus? Retrieval Prac2ce Design Worksheet http://bit.ly/1CAILMn
Call to Action
Retrieval Practice Tetrafecta - Contrasting Case
Retrieval vs.
Rehearsal
Feedback vs.
No Feedback
Spaced vs.
Crammed
Interleaved vs.
Blocked
Retrieval Practice
Catch the retrieval practice boat.
A learning strategy that involves “the act of calling
information to mind rather than rereading it or
hearing it” or even elaborating on it.
To help students succeed
teach them how
learning works.
How to help people remember what they learn
Julie Schell, Director of OnRamps and Strategic Initiatives