Retrieval Practice/Self-testing Flashcards
What 4 cognitive activities are involved with reflection?
- retrieving knowledge and earlier training from memory
- visualizing and mentally rehearsing understanding
- Receiving corrective feedback
- connecting these to new experiences
What is the ultimate goal of retrieval?
Reflexive access to stored memory/acting out of reflex before even having to think about it.
What must occur for retrieval to be effective?
Spaced retrieval/self-testing so that recall, rather than a mindless recitation using cognitive effort/activities happens.
What 3 physical changes occur in the brain as a result of the cognitive processes engaged during retrieval practice?
- Wires together: Strengthens and multiples neural routes by which the knowledge can later be retrieved
- Fires together: Helps memory consolidate into a cohesive representation within the brain/chunks it
- Becomes a reflex: embeds the knowledge and skills so they become reflexive
Give 3 examples of embedded knowledge & reflexive behavior achieved through retrieval practice.
- piloting a jet
- throwing a football/qb
- texting
Is self-testing/retrieval practice testing frequently used as a learning strategy?
No.
- Rarely used in class as a way to embed lecture material.
- Rarely used during learning by students
- Often confused as mass practice using flashcards without feedback measure applied/done incorrectly
Which is more important? Memorization of new knowledge or higher order thinking skills?
Neither. Both are equally important. Must have stored knowledge in order to think and create. Ie. cannot pull a rabbit out of a hat.
What is the optimal percentage of time dedicated to recitation of new material/elaboration?
60% of study time should be spent on reciting/visualizing understanding and then quizzing self on it.
Is massed practice/cramming effective?
No. It will yield good short term/immediate results but does not yield long term knowledge storage.
What occurs during the “space” between retrieval practice that leads to better results?
Some forgetting. The brain must then work harder, use more cognitive activities, to retrieve and regurgitate the knowledge.
What 5 major outcomes were identified from the studies on self-testing?
- full grade higher on average
- long-term knowledge creation
- elimination of illusion of mastery
- increased focus
- Reduced anxiety
What are 4 ways students can self-test?
- Flash cards with feedback
- elaboration with recitation
- elaboration with visible thinking
- SQ5R to generate quizzes/flash card questions
What does immediate understanding feedback rely on
Presence of correction prompt: generation effect
Give an analogy for immediate understanding feedback
training wheels on a bike
What 2 reasons does delayed understanding feedback work?
spaces between retrieval practice:
- leaders to some forgetting
- forces the brain to re-fire neural pathways - engages more cognitive brain activities.
What are the 3 best types of self-testing?
Flash cards
essays
short answers
What are the 4 worst types of self testing?
fill in blank
multiple choice
true/false
mass practice flash cards
What are the 6 benefits of retrieval practice?
- Spaced recall forces activation of cognitive processes and strengthens neural pathways
- Understanding feedback reduces illusion of mastery
- feedback identifies gaps in understanding and focuses effort (increases efficiency)
- Enhances student attention
- Reduces anxiety
- Results in a cumulative learning effect like compound interest
What 3 ways does spaced retrieval practice reduce anxiety?
- repeated corrective feedback increases confidence of true learning rather than illusion of mastery
- feedback focuses learning effort to yield + feedback and greater confidence
- Repeated exposure to same material and + feedback yields high comfort level, easy accessibility irregardless of test type, location, etc
What 3 ways does spaced retrieval practice enhance student focus?
- Prompts active work:
a. During learning, students prepare quiz questions and answers
b. recite understanding
c. visualize understanding
d. self-quiz - During lecture, students are actively listening so they can add to their quiz questions and fill out their pre-reading material/understanding
- Feedback allows targeted re-study and practice
What 4 type of materials is best for self-testing
All material - anything the brain needs to call up later:
facts, complex concepts, problem solving techniques and motor skills
Why does effortful retrieval(the mind is hard at work) make for stronger learning and retention?
Requires more cognitive processes
What are the 3 key benefits of repeated retrieval in relationship to memories?
Produces memories that are:
- stronger
- more durable
- able to be retrieved more readily, in more varies settings and applied to a wider variety of problems
What are the 3 cognitive processes that occur during retrieval practice?
- Retrieve from multiple locations
- Pull information into working memory for processing/rehearsal of understanding
- Corrective Feedback
