There are 6 learning strategies which have the strongest evidence in support of their efficacy from cognitive science research (The Learning Scientists). There are many ways you can use each strategy. Focus on reflecting on the principle described and how you can implement this for your courses.
Read through the brief descriptions below and click on the hyperlink above for more information and examples.
Spaced Practice |
Repeatedly review information with breaks in between. Small spaces (a few days) is typically best. |
Retrieval Practice |
ParticipACTION: Participate in your learning experience by using active study strategies such as self-questioning, linking, rewording, and rehearse-out-loud techniques. Passively re-reading your notes over and over again will only lead to memorization when you need to understand and know how to use the information. Practice remembering information without looking at your course material. This can be done by writing, drawing, explaining aloud or testing yourself by using flashcards or practice tests. Use Study Guides and Previous Year Tests: Study guides are a great resource because they identify key concepts and terminology and summarize information in an easy-to-understand format. Furthermore, many professors keep copies of previous years’ tests on file in the Library under "Old Exam Repository". |
Elaboration |
Explain and describe concepts or ideas with many details. A simple way of doing this is asking yourself “why” and “how” while studying. This is even more powerful if you can make connections between different concepts or apply concepts to your own experiences or memories. Mind mapping is a great method for illustrating and emphasizing these connections if you understand visuals well. |
Interleaving |
Switch between different ideas or concepts within your study session. This will feel harder than studying the same topic for a long period of time because it is! Try to understand each concept before moving onto the next to ensure you are giving yourself enough time to learn the material. |
Concrete Examples |
Brainstorm specific examples to demonstrate/illustrate abstract ideas. Try to use examples you learned in class. If you are not sure if an example makes sense, ask your professor for clarification. |
Dual Coding |
Use words and images simultaneously to represent concepts. A great way of doing this is re-drawing diagrams shown in class or creating mind maps. |