The Learning Scientist`s Best Ways To Revise

Forward: I do not claim to have developed these proven methods of learning, however, I do endorse these practices as a teacher. I have used them countless times, and they have proved to be effective tools in teaching and learning.

The best ways to maximise learning potential. By following these proven methods I have seen a 9% rise in my own classes understanding based on assessment of those classes. I will start with what I believe to be the most effective, however, these the tools to accommodate learning listed below are all effective ways of maximising learning potential. There are others and if you want to find out about those, please visit the learning scientists website for more details.

1. Retrieval Practice.

The single most effective tool that I have encountered as a teacher. I could write volume`s on the importance of self-testing or peer/parent testing. When you have learnt something previously, usually your teacher will ask questions to check your understanding as a form of best practice. So, take their lead and adopt this practice for your revision. Ask yourself questions, how well do you know the material in front of you?

How to do.

Write down a series of 10 or 20 questions on the material you have just read with the correct answers on the other side of the paper and answer the questions then compare to your answers on the other side of your paper. Retrieval practice is often referred to the POMODORO technique were by revision is broken down into timed segments of 20 mins during that time you (your peers or parents) will ask questions on the material you have just read. The more difficult it is to retrieval the 1st time usually the more easily it will be to retrieve the 2nd time you do it. You self-test until you get every question correct and then try it in different question order to make the retrieval more difficult.

2. Spaced Practice.

Less of an introduction for this one, you have probably guessed this means leaving `space` (time) between your revision. You may not learn something completely in one session but this is ok, you have to learn to be comfortable with that, it is better in the long run for your overall learning.

How to do:

You should start early in your exam preparation & for this one. You need months` of time. Draw up a revision timetable and allocate yourself a set amount of time for per subject, I recommend 20 minutes per subject. Once you finish a time slot, don`t look at the revision material again for at least another day. You should start to see your understanding rapidly improves. This is because leaving time between learning introduces a `desirable` difficulty& you are giving yourself time to forget! Which means next time you go to remember it - it`s hard but the time after that it becomes easier.

3. Interleaving

This is an oldie but a goodie (for teachers that is). This goes hand in hand with spaced practice. It means trying to weave in different topics from the same subject into your learning.

How to do it:

Say you are revising a subject for 20 minutes, halfway through the topic your learning switch another topic. It feels uncomfortable because you may not have learnt the previous topic in its entirety, but that's ok. This switching allows your brain to make links between different topics and gives you a wider understanding. Keep going over those topics to strengthen your knowledge and there you have interleaving and a much wider understanding of that particular subject. Expert tip: you may notice exam papers like to ask questions that apply to a much wider base of understanding, which interleaving an invaluable tool!

There is a brief understanding to what I believe are the best tips and tricks for learning and revision. Now it is your turn to put these theories into practice. It would be great to hear some feedback if you do.