Interleaved practice involves mixing different types of problems or subjects within a single study session. This contrasts with "blocked" practice, where you focus on one topic or type of problem at a time. Interleaving can enhance problem-solving skills and the ability to differentiate between types of problems.
Beneficial for subjects where applying different concepts in various contexts is key.
Instead of studying one type of problem for an entire session, mix different types of problems to enhance problem-solving skills.
Instead of solving 20 algebra problems in a row, mix in geometry or calculus problems within the same session.
When studying history, alternate between different time periods or themes within a single study session.
What to Do: Start by listing the topics or skills you need to study or practice. These should be related but distinct areas within a subject.
Example:
Math: You might list algebra, geometry, and statistics as the topics.
History: Choose topics like World War I, the Renaissance, and the Industrial Revolution.
English Literature: Focus on analysing themes, character development, and literary techniques in different novels or plays.
Geography: Study topics such as climate change, urbanisation, and river systems.
What to Do: Instead of focusing on one topic for an extended period (blocked practice), alternate between different topics within a single study session or over consecutive sessions.
Example:
Math: Study algebra for 20 minutes, switch to geometry for the next 20 minutes and then finish with 20 minutes of statistics.
History: Allocate time to review key events from different eras in each session.
English Literature: Schedule sessions to alternate between different literary works and the elements of analysis (themes, symbols).
Geography: Plan to study different geographical processes and their impacts on various regions.
What to Do: Vary the sequence in which you study each topic. This prevents your brain from getting used to a single type of problem and encourages better understanding.
Example:
Math: Session 1: Algebra → Geometry → Statistics, Session 2: Geometry → Statistics → Algebra
History: Instead of studying World War I followed by World War II, alternate between events from these wars and other unrelated historical events.
English Literature: Alternate between analysing a Shakespearean play, a modern novel, and a poem.
Geography: Mix your study order by switching between studying natural hazards, urban development, and population studies.
What to Do: Within each topic, work on a variety of problems rather than just similar ones. This helps reinforce the concepts as you see them applied in different ways.
Example:
Math: For geometry, mix up problems involving angles, area, and volume.
History: Answer essay questions on different historical periods and compare their impacts.
English Literature: Write essays comparing the use of symbolism in different works or create character analyses across genres.
Geography: Solve case studies on different geographical phenomena and their effects on human activity.
What to Do: Include time for review in your sessions. Revisit each topic multiple times over a week or more, allowing your brain to solidify the knowledge.
Example:
Math: If you studied algebra on Monday, revisit it on Wednesday and again on Friday, mixing it with other topics each time.
History: Periodically review your notes and key facts from different historical events and make connections between them.
English Literature: Revisit your notes on different texts to see how themes recur across different genres.
Geography: Regularly review your case studies to ensure you understand how different geographical processes are interconnected.
What to Do: After completing a mixed set of problems, take a moment to reflect on how well you understood each topic. Make notes on areas where you need more practice.
Example:
Math: After a session, note that you struggled with certain geometry problems and plan to revisit them in the next session.
History: Quiz yourself on causes and effects across different historical events.
English Literature: Ask yourself how a theme or motif is explored differently in various texts.
Geography: Test your understanding by explaining a geographical concept in the context of different case studies.
What to Do: Use the results of your practice and assessments to adjust the mix and frequency of topics in your study sessions. Focus more on areas where you need improvement.
Example:
Math: If you find algebra particularly challenging, allocate more time to it or integrate it into more study sessions.
History: If you struggle with certain events, focus more on connecting those events with broader historical trends.
English Literature: If you're weak in analysing symbolism, spend more time working on texts rich in symbolic meaning.
Geography: If population studies are challenging, dedicate more time to understanding demographic models in varied contexts.
What to Do: Interleaved practice isn't just for maths. Apply it to other subjects like science (e.g., mixing biology, chemistry, and physics) or languages (e.g., grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension).
Example:
Science, alternate between studying concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics in a single session.
History: Use interleaving to study government structures, revolutions, and economic changes across different countries and eras.
English Literature: Apply interleaving to compare different literary forms (e.g., poetry vs. prose) and how they tackle similar themes.
Geography: Interleave the study of physical geography with human geography to see how they influence each other.
Start Small: Begin by interleaving just two or three topics. As you get more comfortable, you can add more topics to the mix.
Be Patient: Interleaved practice might feel harder than blocked practice, but this difficulty is part of what makes it effective.
Stay Consistent: Regular practice over time is key to reaping the benefits of interleaved practice.
https://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2016/8/11-1
An article explaining how interleaved practice works and why it is effective for learning.