Make It Stick

Question 1

What is “retrieval practice” and what is an example of retrieval practice?

Answer 1

The act of retrieving information from memory (i.e. self-quizzing)

Question 2

What is the single most predictive characteristic of learning?

Answer 2

Effort, often the learning which is most difficult & seemingly unproductive is the most fruitful in the long-run.

Question 3

What are two (2) byproduct of effortful learning?

Answer 3

1) Failure, the more effort put forth, the more one should fail. This is a signal of productive learning
2) Your brain makes new connections, which builds capability & capacity

Question 4

Using the “retrieval practice” model, what questions should you ask yourself after reading text on new material?

Answer 4

1) What are the key ideas?
2) What ideas & terms are new to me?
3) How do these new ideas relate to what I already know?

Question 5

What is “spaced practice”?

Answer 5

Spacing out learning sessions so to give enough time to forget some of the material

Question 6

Why does “spaced practice” result in increased information retention?

Answer 6

When given enough time in-between practice sessions to forget a bit of the material, it requires the brain to work hard to “re-remember” the forgotten information. When this hard work is performed, it’s much more likely that your brain with retain the information long-term.

Question 7

What is “interleaving practice”? Why is it more effective than “blocked practice”, and give an example of this type of practice.

Answer 7

1) Interleaving practice is studying different aspects of a single topic to
2) It provides a varied perspective to the subject and allows someone to gain a wider understanding of the material
3) When a baseball player is practicing hitting, he’s better off receiving random pitches from the pitcher as opposed to blocking off fastballs, then curveballs, etc. When faced with random pitches, it forces the hitter to adapt to deciphering which pitch is coming, which replicates an in-game scenario.

Question 8

Describe the learning technique of “elaboration”?

Answer 8

Elaboration is to either explain a subject topic in your own words or through visual imagery.

Question 9

Describe the learning technique of “generation”?

Answer 9

To attempt to answer a question, or solve a problem, before learning of the solution. When the solution is finally studied, it’s much more likely to stick.