Looking for a simple yet powerful teaching strategy to increase student retention and understanding? Try Retrieval Practice—a research-backed method that helps students strengthen their memory and deepen their learning.
What is Retrieval Practice?
Retrieval Practice involves asking students to recall information from memory, rather than simply reviewing notes or re-reading. This could be in the form of quick quizzes, brain dumps, or “what do you remember?” prompts at the start of a lesson.
Why It Works:
Studies show that the act of retrieving information actually strengthens neural pathways, making it easier for students to remember concepts long-term. It’s not about assessment—it’s about strengthening learning.
Easy Ways to Use Retrieval Practice in Any Classroom:
- Exit Tickets: End the class by asking students to write down three things they learned.
- Warm-Ups: Begin the day with a quick review question from a past lesson.
- Partner Quizzes: Students quiz each other using flashcards or question prompts.
- Two-Minute Recall: Give students two minutes to write down everything they remember about yesterday’s topic.
Professional Development Opportunity:
Want to dive deeper? Consider checking out retrievalpractice.org, a free resource hub created by cognitive scientist Pooja Agarwal. It offers downloadable guides, research summaries, and practical strategies to get started.
Final Thought:
Small tweaks in your instruction can lead to big gains in student learning. Try integrating Retrieval Practice into your next lesson—and watch your students’ confidence and retention grow.
