Research into Practice: Edition 1 Linking academic expertise with professional wisdom Focus: How do I build in high quality retrieval to equip my students with powerful knowledge?
Introduction What is retrieval practice? Retrieval practice is a strategy in which recalling information enhances and boosts learning. Deliberately remembering information forces us to pull our knowledge forward and assess what we know. For instance, recalling an answer to a geography question improves learning to a greater degree than looking up the answer in a textbook. Having to actually recall and write down or ‘blurt’ an answer to a flashcard improves learning more than merely thinking that you know the answer and turning the card over. It is the “struggle” or challenge involved in recall that improves our memory and learning – by trying to remember information, we exercise or strengthen our memory, and we can also identify gaps in our learning.
1
Research into Practice: Edition 1
Academic expertise Research summaries: Retrieval Practice
This 3 minute read summarises the reasons for retrieval practice leading onto the underpinning processes for effective knowledge retention quoting key thinkers in this area.
In this 8 minute read Strengthening the Student Toolkit Dunlosky gives a practical summary of effective knowledge retrieval through practice testing, spaced practice and interleaving.
Developing expertise: This academic paper by Taylor and Rohrer exemplifies how ‘overlearning’ through interleaved practice testing in mathematics improved student outcomes.
Professional Wisdom Theory into practice Erica Harper explains how she employs retrieval practice across a sequence of lessons to check and develop knowledge and understanding. Key terms: retrieval practice, threshold knowledge, interleaving, spaced practice, hinge questions, tackling misconceptions. Digital tutorial: How to use Google forms to develop retrieval practice.
2
Research into Practice: Edition 1
A round up of the current evidence from the EEF, Bristol University Summary Service and What Works Clearinghouse
New resources from BEST for primary and secondary science curriculum development designed to tackle misconceptions.
New resources from the EEF to support their findings on developing oral language and literacy in KS1
Working out how working memory works: evidence from typical and atypical development from the University of Bristol
Staff email intro Routine investigation of research provides a solid foundation on which to grow and develop pedagogy for us all to drive the best possible outcomes for our students. Research into Practice provides you with easy access to the latest educational research combined with practical application in the classroom.
3