Powerful Study Techniques to Transform Your Learning

Introduction

• Four study strategies proven by science to enhance learning.
• Common ineffective strategies to avoid: highlighting and rereading.
• Highlighting and rereading create a false sense of mastery.

Ineffective Study Strategies

1. Highlighting

• Creates familiarity but not deep understanding.
• Example: highlighting most of the textbook in university without real retention.

2. Rereading

• Gives the illusion of learning due to fluency with text.
• Does not equate to actual concept retention.

Effective Study Strategies

1. Retrieval Practice

• Proven by a 1917 study involving recitation of biographies.
• Testing enhances learning better than repeatedly reading.
• Forms: free recall, multiple choice, short answer, quizzes, flashcards.
• Effective even for unfamiliar subjects.
• Concept of "desirable difficulty": the harder the retrieval, the better the retention.
• Memory improvements from retrieval practice can last months to years.

2. Spaced Practice (Distributed Learning)

• Proven by math class experiment where spaced learning outperformed intensive single-session learning.
• Known as the "spacing effect."
• Effective across age groups and learning levels.
• Longer spacing intervals lead to longer retention.
• Example: To remember for a week, space sessions 12–24 hours apart; for five years, space 6–12 months apart.

3. Interleaving

• Switching topics rather than focusing on one for an extended period.
• Enhances learning despite seeming counterintuitive.
• Proven by experiments with geometric shape calculations and art association tasks.

4. Elaborative Interrogation

• Asking questions like "how" and "why" to deepen understanding.
• Incorporates new knowledge into existing frameworks.
• Effective for building a comprehensive understanding.

Recommended Resources

• Open access paper: "Teaching the Science of Learning."
• Website: learningscientists.org.
• Online course: available on Coursera.
• Book: "Make It Stick."

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Conclusion

• Implementing these study techniques can significantly improve learning and retention.
• Use the provided resources to explore and apply these strategies.