Retrieval Practice - A Practical Guide for Teachers

Retrieval - the act of active recall - is one of the most effective ways to improve retention of knowledge. This course is a practical guide to what we mean by retrieval practice, the evidence that supports its use and 40 practical strategies that can be used in the classroom.

According to leading cognitive scientists, learning is defined as ‘a change to long-term memory’; it is only the remembered curriculum that ultimately matters. As most teachers know, students often forget vital knowledge despite their best efforts to secure it.  That’s where retrieval practice comes in: a wealth of evidence, gathered over 100 years of research, shows that using your memory shapes your memory; active recall is the best way to retain knowledge and easily find it again when needed.

• How learning happens and how retrieval practice enables better retention of knowledge
• The principles of effective retrieval practice
• The role of retrieval in metacognition
• The role of retrieval in successful schema building
• How retrieval in different contexts leads to a greater depth of knowledge
• How to adapt retrieval strategies for different ages of students.

• 10 key ‘checks’ for effective teaching using retrieval practice
• 40 practical strategies that can be implemented immediately.