ACTIVE recall/Retrieval Practice

Description:

Active recall/retrieval practice is a process of actively stimulating memory during the learning process. Instead of passively reading or highlighting, students actively try to remember information. This method strengthens memory and helps retain information longer by forcing the brain to retrieve and apply what has been learned. 

Best Use: 

Ideal for subjects that require memorisation of key concepts, formulas, or vocabulary. 

Best Practice: 

Quiz yourself or use flashcards. Integrate spaced repetition by reviewing information at increasing intervals. 

Examples:

• After reading a chapter in a textbook, close the book and try to write down everything you remember.

• Use flashcards to test yourself on key terms and definitions.

• Explain a concept aloud as if teaching it to someone else.

Step-by-Step Guide to Active Recall/retrieval Practice

1. Understand the Concept

 What to Do: Recognize that active recall involves actively retrieving information from your memory, rather than passively reviewing it. This strengthens your ability to remember the material.

Examples: 

Science: Instead of re-reading your notes on photosynthesis, you might try to recall the entire process from memory.

History: Read about the causes and effects of the American Civil War, ensuring you grasp the underlying reasons and the outcomes.

Mathematics: Study the principles behind the quadratic formula and understand why it works in solving quadratic equations.

Literature: Explore the themes and motifs in Shakespeare's Hamlet to fully understand the play's deeper meanings.

Economics: Learn the concept of supply and demand, and how they interact to determine prices in a market.

2. Create a Study Schedule

What to Do: Plan specific times in your study schedule for active recall sessions. Incorporate it regularly into your routine, rather than just before exams.

Examples: Set aside 15 minutes each day to quiz yourself on what you learned in class.

History: Allocate time each week to review different historical periods, such as ancient civilizations, the Middle Ages, and modern history.

Mathematics: Plan to study different math topics on different days—geometry on Mondays, algebra on Wednesdays, and calculus on Fridays.

Literature: Set aside specific days to focus on different genres—poetry on Tuesdays, novels on Thursdays, and plays on Sundays.

Economics: Schedule time to review microeconomics concepts in one session and macroeconomics concepts in another.

3. Start with a Review

What to Do: Briefly review your notes or textbook to get an overview of the material. This helps set the stage for recalling the information without looking at the material.

Examples: 

Science: Skim through a chapter on chemical bonding to refresh your memory before attempting active recall.

History: Before diving into new material on the Industrial Revolution, quickly review the key points from your previous study session on the Enlightenment.

Mathematics: Begin your study of calculus by first reviewing key algebraic concepts that are foundational to understanding derivatives.

Literature: Before reading a new chapter in Pride and Prejudice, briefly review the character developments and plot points from the previous chapters.

Economics: Review the basic principles of fiscal policy before starting a new chapter on government intervention in the economy.

4. Use Questions to Test Yourself

What to Do: Create questions based on the material you’ve studied. These can be flashcards, practice questions, or even questions you come up with yourself. Try to answer them without looking at your notes.

Examples:

Science: If studying cell biology, ask yourself questions like, "What are the stages of mitosis?" or "What are the functions of the mitochondria?"

History: Ask yourself, "What were the main causes of World War II?" and try to answer without looking at your notes.

Mathematics: Test your understanding by solving problems related to the Pythagorean theorem without referring to examples in your textbook.

Literature: Quiz yourself on the symbolism in The Great Gatsby by listing the symbols and their meanings from memory.

Economics: Ask yourself, "How does inflation affect purchasing power?" and try to explain it without checking your notes.

5. Write or Speak Answers from Memory

What to Do: Without referring to your notes, write down or speak out the answers to the questions you’ve prepared. This forces your brain to retrieve the information.

Example:
Science: Write down the process of osmosis step-by-step without looking at your textbook.

History: Write a short essay from memory on the significance of the Treaty of Versailles in shaping post-World War I Europe.

Mathematics: Explain aloud how to solve a quadratic equation, as if you were teaching someone else.

Literature: Recite from memory a summary of the plot and themes of Romeo and Juliet.

Economics: Write down the steps involved in calculating GDP without referring to any notes.

6. Check Your Answers

What to Do: After attempting to recall the information, check your answers against your notes or textbook. Identify any gaps in your understanding or areas you recalled incorrectly.

Example: 

Science: Compare your written explanation of mitosis with your notes to see if you missed any steps.

History: After writing your essay, compare it to your notes or textbook to identify any key points you missed or misunderstood.

Mathematics: Review your quadratic equation solution against the textbook example to see if you followed all steps correctly.

Literature: Compare your summary of Romeo and Juliet with a reliable source to ensure you captured all the essential elements.

Economics: Cross-check your GDP calculation process with a worked example to confirm your understanding.

7. Repeat and Refine

What to Do: Go over the material again, focusing on the areas where you made mistakes or struggled to recall. Repeat the recall process until you can remember the information accurately.

Example: 

Science: If you struggled to recall the functions of different organelles, focus your next recall session on that specific area.

History: After identifying what you missed about the Treaty of Versailles, try writing about it again, this time incorporating the points you initially forgot.

Mathematics: Solve a few more quadratic equations, focusing on avoiding any errors you made the first time.

Literature: Write another summary of a different Shakespeare play, applying the feedback you received on your Romeo and Juliet summary.

Economics: Attempt to calculate GDP for a different scenario, refining your process based on what you learned from your previous attempt.

8. Apply in Different Formats

What to Do: Use different formats for active recall, such as summarizing topics in your own words, teaching the material to someone else, or drawing diagrams from memory.

Example: 

Science: Summarize the water cycle to a friend or family member, or draw the stages of cellular respiration without looking.

History: Create a timeline of key events from the Treaty of Versailles to World War II to visualize the progression and impact.

Mathematics: Use a flowchart to outline the steps for solving different types of quadratic equations.

Literature: Draw a character map for Romeo and Juliet, showing relationships and key traits of each character.

Economics: Create a diagram showing the components of GDP and how they interact within an economy.

9. Integrate with Other Study Techniques

What to Do: Combine active recall with other study methods like spaced repetition, where you quiz yourself on the material at increasing intervals, or interleaved practice, where you mix topics.

Example: 

Science: After learning a topic in chemistry, use active recall a few days later, and then again a week later, spacing out your practice.

History: Use spaced repetition to periodically review the causes and effects of major wars, ensuring long-term retention.

Mathematics: Combine practice testing with chunking, by breaking down complex problems into manageable parts and testing yourself on each part.

Literature: Pair dual coding with mind mapping to visualize themes and character developments in novels.

Economics: Use elaborative interrogation to question why specific economic principles work as they do, deepening your understanding.

10. Reflect on Your Progress

What to Do: Regularly assess how well you’re remembering the material using active recall. Adjust your study techniques based on your progress and focus on areas that need improvement.

Example: After several weeks, review your performance on active recall exercises and focus more on areas where you’re still struggling.

History: After several sessions, take time to reflect on how well you can now recall and explain major historical events and their significance.

Mathematics: Consider how your problem-solving speed and accuracy have improved, and identify areas that still need work.

Literature: Reflect on your ability to analyze and interpret different literary works, noting any recurring challenges.

Economics: Evaluate how your understanding of economic principles has deepened and how confidently you can apply them to real-world scenarios.

Tips for Success:

Be Honest: Don’t peek at your notes when doing active recall/retrieval practice. The challenge of retrieving information is what makes this technique effective.

Start Small: Begin with smaller chunks of information and gradually increase the amount you try to recall as you get better.

Consistency is Key: Make active recall a regular part of your study routine, not just something you do before exams.

Resources:

Learn how to Study Using... Retrieval Practice

https://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2016/6/23-1

An overview of retrieval practice/active recall, including why it works and how to implement it.

How to Use Flash Cards