Retrieval Practice

Actively recalling what we've learned makes that learning deeper and more durable. This learning strategy is called

• Schema

• Retrieval Practice

• Working Memory

• Long-Term Memory

Which is the LEAST effective example of retrieval practice from the list below?

• High stakes quizzes

• Flashcards

• Student white board review questions

• Question Prompts

Answer explanation

Use retrieval practice to engage all students, not just one student being called on. Second, keep in mind that retrieval practice should be used as a learning strategy, not an assessment opportunity. Third, always provide feedback.

Retrieval practice is a

• Summative assessment strategy

• Formative assessment strategy

• Learning strategy

Which of these is NOT a key to successful flashcard use for retrieval practice?

• Students should be given grades for correct responses.

• Students must attempt to retrieve information from their minds before flipping the flashcard over

• Students should 'know' the flashcard 5 times before removing it from the deck

• Students should ideally shuffle/randomize the deck

Answer explanation

Providing retrieval practice without points or a grade will maintain focus on retrieval practice as a learning strategy, not an assessment tool. Students will feel less pressured and more comfortable when making mistakes (which is good for learning!), you can implement challenging retrieval practice without worrying about negative consequences to grades (and you’ll likely see grades increase!), and parents won’t worry that retrieval practice is standardized testing in disguise (it’s not!). Instead, retrieval practice is a tool to help students, not punish them. It improves learning, it improves metacognition, and it decreases test anxiety. Provide feedback, not grades or points.

Using quizzes as a retrieval practice activity,

• Short answer questions are far more effective than multiple choice.

• Teachers should see the quizzing as an effective assessment strategy.

• Working with paper-based quizzes is more effective than digital quizzes.

• Teachers should make the quizzes low-stakes or even no-stakes.

Telling students and parents about retrieval practice is a good idea because

• Many 'feel good' learning/review activities they do may make students feel confident in their learning but are not effective.

• Learning activities which feel difficult may make students feel less confident in their learning but are very effective.

• They will be more motivated to persevere through activities with desirable difficulties.

• All of the above

Retrieval practice should be used

• as an assessment stratgey at the end of a unit.

• throughout a unit as learning is taking place.

• as high stakes assessments.

• to be sure students are ready to move to the next unit.

Answer explanation

Research demonstrates that retrieval is a more potent learning strategy than other techniques commonly used in classrooms, such as lecturing, re-reading, or taking notes. So, instead of asking students to retrieve information only during assessments, encourage retrieval during learning to improve students’ understanding and retention of classroom material

It's important to make learning as easy as possible for students for long term retention.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

When information comes to mind easily and feels fluent, it’s easy to forget. In other words, just because we learn something quickly and easily does not guarantee we’ll remember it.

Metacognition is

• self awareness of what students know and don’t know.

• a retrieval practice technique

• how Eleven in Stranger Things can move objects

• the process of storing new knowledge in the brain

Answer explanation

By engaging in retrieval practice, students are able to evaluate what they know and what they don’t know, and then make better study decisions. Improved metacognition also benefits teachers: by seeing what students know and don’t know, teachers can adjust lesson plans to ensure that all students are on the same page (similar to formative assessment)

Without ____________, students won’t know how they performed.

Answer explanation

An important component of metacognition is feedback, or providing students information about whether they got something correct or incorrect. Without feedback, students won’t know how they performed. Thus, feedback should always be provided to students after retrieval practice.