Interleaved Practice

Description:

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. 

Best Use: 

Beneficial for subjects where applying different concepts in various contexts is key.

Best Practice: 

Instead of studying one type of problem for an entire session, mix different types of problems to enhance problem-solving skills. 

Examples:

• 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.

Step by Step Guide to interleaved practice:

1. Identify Different Topics or Skills 

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.

2. Plan Your Study Sessions

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.

3. Mix Up the Order

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.

4. Use Varied Practice Problems

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.

5. Review Regularly

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.

6. Self-Check for Understanding

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.

7. Adjust Based on Feedback

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.

8. Apply in Different Subjects

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.

Tips for Success:

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.

Resources:

Learn To Study Using…Interleaving 

https://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2016/8/11-1

An article explaining how interleaved practice works and why it is effective for learning.