Chapter 3 - Mix Up Your Practice

Question 1

What is more effective massed practice or separate periods of training that are spaced out?

Answer 1

Practice that’s spaced out, interleaved with other learning, and varied produces better mastery, longer retention, and more versatility.

Question 2

How does it feel when practice is spaced, interleaved, and varied?

Answer 2

It feels like it requires more effort, and it feels like you don’t receive the benefits.

Question 3

Why is spaced practice more effective than massed practice?

Answer 3

Embedding new learning in long term memory requires a process of consolidation in which memory traces (the brain’s representation of new learning) are strengthened, given meaning, and connected to prior knowledge which unfolds over hours if not days.

Question 4

What does durable learning require?

Answer 4

• Time for mental rehearsal

- Other processes of consolidation - strengthening memory traces, give them meaning, and connecting to prior knowledge

Question 5

How does interleaved learning impact performance?

Answer 5

In the short term it impedes performance, but it long term it boosts performance dramatically.

Question 6

What is a significant advantage of interleaving and variation?

Answer 6

It helps us learn better how to:

• assess context and discriminate between problems
• select and apply the correct solution from a range of possibilities

Question 7

What does conceptual knowledge require?

Answer 7

Requires an understanding of the interrelationships between the basic elements within a larger structure that enable them to function together.

Question 8

What is implicit memory?

Answer 8

Automatic retrieval of past experience in interpreting a new one.

Question 9

What are some steps at improving mastery?

Answer 9

1. Practice like you play, and you will play like you practice.
2. Variety is important, but placing too much emphasis or variety runs the risk of underemphasizing repeated retrieval practice of the basics.
3. Practical experience and reflection.

Question 10

How is habit strength built?

Answer 10

Spacing out study practice in instalments and allowing time to elapse between them.
(Time periods can be as long as a day or even the time between flashcards)

Question 11

What are the benefits of interleaving?

Answer 11

1. Provides a form of spacing.

2. Helps you discriminate between different types of problems

Question 12

What is an important principle of interleaving?

Answer 12

You don’t move from a complete set of practice in one topic to another, you move before the topic is complete.