Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning

This book emphasizes the importance of retrieval practice, spaced practice, interleaving, feedback-driven metacognition, and elaboration in promoting deep and lasting learning. It provides practical strategies and techniques for educators to implement these principles in the classroom, ultimately enhancing students’ ability to retain and apply knowledge. The authors advocate for an evidence-based approach to teaching, aiming to empower educators with the tools to maximize student learning outcomes.

Key Takeaways

Use Retrieval Practice
- Encourages active recall of information.
- Strengthens long-term retention and retrieval capabilities.
- It can be implemented through quizzes, flashcards, and other recall-based activities.
- It helps students become more adept at recalling and applying knowledge.
Spaced Practice
- Distributes learning over time rather than cramming.
- Enhances long-term retention by reinforcing memory over intervals.
- Suggests the importance of reviewing and revisiting material.
Interleaving
- Mixes different topics or concepts within a single study session.
- Fosters the ability to differentiate and apply knowledge effectively.
- Challenges students to discern between similar concepts, promoting deeper understanding.
Feedback-Driven Metacognition
- Promotes self-awareness and reflection on one’s own learning process.
- Encourages students to evaluate their understanding and adjust their learning strategies.
- Helps learners become more autonomous and effective in their studies.

Citation

Agarwal, P. K., Bain, P. M. (2019). Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning. United Kingdom: Wiley.