Insights from ‘Make It Stick’ by Peter Brown, Henry Roediger & Mark McDaniel

Question 1

According to ‘Make It Stick,’ why is rereading a poor study strategy?

Answer 1

Rereading is ineffective because it’s too easy; it creates familiarity without true learning, which leads to poor retention.

Question 2

True or False: The more you repeat something in a single session, the better you remember it long-term.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Fill in the blank: The effort to retrieve information strengthens its _____ power.

Answer 3

staying

Question 4

What learning technique involves recalling information after reading or listening?

Answer 4

Self-quizzing

Question 5

Why is spacing out practice sessions more effective than mass repetition?

Answer 5

Spacing engages long-term memory, requiring you to recall partially forgotten information, which strengthens memory.

Question 6

In self-quizzing, what types of questions should you ask yourself?

Answer 6

Ask about key ideas, new insights, and practical applications of the material.

Question 7

True or False: Forgetting some information before you retrieve it can strengthen memory.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Why is interleaving beneficial for learning?

Answer 8

Interleaving requires switching between different but related skills, improving adaptability and understanding.

Question 9

What is an example of interleaving in sports?

Answer 9

A baseball player practicing with random pitch types rather than one type repeatedly.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: Learning that is easy is like writing in _____, here today and gone tomorrow.

Answer 10

sand

Question 11

Application: If you’re learning to use Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, how should you structure your practice?

Answer 11

Use interleaving by practicing each software on different days rather than mastering one fully before moving to the next.

Question 12

True or False: Self-quizzing is effective because it relies on easy recall of information.

Answer 12

False

Question 13

Which method enhances memory by requiring recall after partial forgetting: Spacing or Mass Repetition?

Answer 13

Spacing

Question 14

According to ‘Make It Stick,’ what effect does increased retrieval effort have on memory?

Answer 14

It retriggers consolidation, strengthening memory further.

Question 15

Why is mass repetition considered to rely on short-term memory?

Answer 15

Because it doesn’t challenge the brain to recall after some forgetting, which is necessary for long-term retention.

Question 16

Fill in the blank: Effective learning techniques are challenging because _____ equals retention.

Answer 16

effort