Retrieval practice is a cognitive science principle that emphasises the importance of actively retrieving information to better remember it. This can involve recalling facts, concepts, or ideas from memory, or completing a practice quiz or test. Such practice helps to strengthen the memory of the information and to make it more accessible for later use.

1. Quizzing: You can create quiz questions that require students to remember and recall course content, demonstrating the practice of retrieval. Quizzing after instruction has been found to be more effective than re-reading or summarising. The study also found that quizzing after instruction increased the amount of information that was retained and recalled.

2. Interleaving: You could interleave course content within your lessons, giving students the opportunity to practice retrieving information in different contexts. Interleaving has been found to be more beneficial than blocking, which is when related concepts are learned together. The study found that interleaving was a more effective strategy as it increases the amount of retrieval practice and thus strengthens the formation of memories.

3. Spaced Retrieval: Spaced retrieval involves giving students prompts that require them to recall and retrieve information from their memory. This is an effective strategy for improving memory in children. This study found that spaced retrieval was more effective than other strategies such as cramming and repetition.

4. Flashcards: You could create flashcards that require students to recall information from their memory. Flashcards have been found to be a more effective strategy than re-reading or summarising. The study found that using flashcards increases the amount of information that is retained and recalled.

5. Metacognitive Strategies: You could also encourage students to use metacognitive strategies such as self-testing and self-explanation when retrieving information from their memory. Metacognitive strategies such as self-testing are more effective than other strategies such as re-reading or summarising. The study found that self-testing increased the amount of information that was retained and recalled.


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