Exploring Retrieval Practice

Retrieval practice is part of each of the strategies outlined in prior modules. It requires to students to actively bring information back to mind from their long-term memory.


Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to demonstrate the following:

  1. Explain the principle of retrieval practice
  2. Describe how retrieval practice improves learning
  3. Identify the barriers to using retrieval practice
  4. Demonstrate how to use interactive learning tools to support retrieval practice

Understanding Retrieval Practice

Retrieval practice involves actively and purposefully recalling information from memory. When students work at recalling information they connect pieces of information together, like a path across the brain. Each time the student attempts to recall that piece of information, the connections grow stronger and more connections are made, enabling the student to recall the information faster and with greater ease. Deliberate retrieval practice thus makes it easier for students to draw upon connections and apply their knowledge in future situations. In turn, this promotes deep, durable, and transferable learning.

Retrieval can be practiced when students complete their homework, quiz or self-test themselves, or try to recall information from memory.

Retrieval practice includes answering homework questions without checking notes, quizzing with flashcards, completing practice tests or quizzes, and writing or drawing everything you can recall from memory.

Click here for an accessible version of the above image: How to Practice Retrieval.pdf


Retrieval Practice - Video

The following two minute video is an introduction to retrieval practice. It explores what retrieval practice is and how it can support students in their learning. Feel free to include this short video into your own courses to guide students as they explore effective learning techniques. You can find this video at the following link Tactic 6: Retrieval Practice Video

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Retrieval Practice - Video Transcript

 INTRODUCTION  SCREEN [Music] – Retrieval Practice

 Student 1:

I don’t get it. I studied all week. But when I got into the test, I couldn’t remember anything.

 Student 2:

How did you study?

 Student 1:

I read through my notes over and over. [sighs] I thought I had everything memorized.

 Student 2:

You should try using retrieval practice.

 Student 1:

What’s retrieval practice?

 Student 2:

Retrieval practice is when you try to recall something from memory on purpose, like you needed to do on the test. It’s actually really easy, you just quiz yourself. You can use flashcards. Or answer homework questions or practice tests without looking at your notes.

Student 1:

But how will that help? What if I don’t remember anything?

 Student 2:

Retrieval practice helps you by strengthening the connections between information in your brain. The more you do it, the stronger those connections become, and the more connections are made. It’s like how if you walk through the woods in the same spot over and over you eventually clear a path! When you answer questions or try to remember something, your brain needs to pull that information from your long-term memory. It’s exactly what your brain has to do when you’re writing a test, but it has to practice first.

 Student 2:

And it’s okay if you don’t remember much in the beginning. That just means that you haven’t learned the information deep down yet. Keep working at it. Correct your mistakes, add any missed information, and try again. The more you do it, the more you’ll remember and you will remember it faster and more easily…

 [Time has passed and the students have written another test]

 Student 2:

So? How’d it go?

 Student 1:

I did what you said. I completed the homework without looking at my notes. In the beginning, it was awful, I kept making so many mistakes. But then, a few days before the test, I started getting more and more questions right. I’m feeling really good about that test!

 Student 2:

You too can use retrieval practice to better prepare for your tests. Try it today, using the tools in this course.

 END SCREEN [Music] – This project was made possible with funding by the Government of Ontario and through eCampusOntario’s support of the Virtual Learning Strategy. Created by Durham College.

The following are some interesting and creative ways to use this video: 


Retrieval Practice - Infographic

You may want to share this infographic with your students to help them understand how they can use retrieval practice for learning:

Retrieval Practice Infographic.pdf

Attribution- Creative Commons-NonCommercial-NoDerivs by The Learning Scientists


Barriers to Retrieval Practice

Within this section we explore some roadblocks that can prevent students from engaging in this particularly learning technique. These can be used in a number of ways:

Resistance to Using Retrieval Practice

Challenges Students May Face Using Retrieval Practice


References

Photography on this page used with permission from the Durham College Online Photo Database.

Dunlosky, J. (2013). Strengthening the Student Toolbox: Study Strategies to Boost Learning. American Educator., 37(3), 12–21. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1021069.pdf

Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K.A., Marsh, E.J., Nathan, M.J., & Willingham, D.T. (2013). Improving students’ learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100612453266

InnerDrive. (n.d.) How to design the perfect multiple choice test. InnerDrive. https://blog.innerdrive.co.uk/perfect-multiple-choice-test

InnerDrive. (n.d.) The 6 benefits of retrieval practice - a visual guide. InnerDrive. https://blog.innerdrive.co.uk/6-benefits-of-retrieval-practice

Karpicke, J. D., & O'Day, G. M. (in press). Elements of effective learning. In M. J. Kahana & A. D. Wagner (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Human Memory, Volume II: Applications. Oxford University Press. https://learninglab.psych.purdue.edu/downloads/inpress_Karpicke_ODay_Oxford_Handbook.pdf

Pan, S.C. (n.d.). Retrieval practice (Practice testing). UC San Diego Psychology. https://psychology.ucsd.edu/undergraduate-program/undergraduate-resources/academic-writing-resources/effective-studying/retrieval-practice.html

Roediger III, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2010.09.003 

The Learning Scientists. (n.d.). Retrieval practice. The Learning Scientists. https://www.learningscientists.org/retrieval-practice

Weinstein, Y., Madan, C.R. & Sumeracki, M.A. (2018). Teaching the science of learning. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-017-0087-y

Weinstein Y., & Smith, M. (2016, June 23). Learn how to study using... retrieval practice. The Learning Scientists. https://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2016/6/23-1