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Make It Stick

Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, Mark A. McDaniel

330 Pages
2014

Make It Stick

The Science of Successful Learning

Harvard University Press

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โšก Free 3min Summary

"Make It Stick" - Summary

"Make It Stick" challenges conventional wisdom about learning and offers practical techniques to enhance retention and understanding. The authors, Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel, draw on cognitive psychology to debunk myths like the effectiveness of cramming and passive review. Instead, they advocate for methods such as self-testing, spaced repetition, and interleaving different topics. These strategies not only make learning more effective but also more durable. This book is a must-read for students, educators, and anyone interested in lifelong learning, as it provides actionable insights to improve how we acquire and retain knowledge.

Key Ideas

1

Active Retrieval

One of the central ideas in "Make It Stick" is the importance of active retrieval. Instead of passively reviewing notes or textbooks, actively recalling information strengthens memory and understanding. This process of self-testing helps to identify gaps in knowledge and reinforces learning, making it more robust and long-lasting.

2

Spaced Repetition

The book emphasizes the value of spaced repetition over cramming. By spreading out study sessions over time, learners can better consolidate information in their long-term memory. This technique leverages the psychological spacing effect, which suggests that information is more easily recalled when exposure is distributed over time.

3

Interleaving Practice

"Make It Stick" also highlights the benefits of interleaving practice, which involves mixing different topics or skills during study sessions. This approach contrasts with the traditional method of focusing on one subject at a time. Interleaving helps to improve problem-solving skills and adaptability by forcing the brain to continuously retrieve and apply different types of information.

FAQ's

"Make It Stick" recommends techniques such as active retrieval, spaced repetition, and interleaving practice. These methods are designed to enhance retention and understanding by encouraging active engagement with the material, spreading out study sessions over time, and mixing different topics during study sessions.

"Make It Stick" is particularly beneficial for students, educators, and anyone interested in lifelong learning. The book provides actionable insights and practical techniques that can help improve how knowledge is acquired and retained, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their learning strategies.

"Make It Stick" challenges conventional learning methods by debunking myths such as the effectiveness of cramming and passive review. Instead, it advocates for more effective strategies like self-testing, spaced repetition, and interleaving different topics, which are supported by cognitive psychology research to make learning more durable and robust.

๐Ÿ’ก Full 15min Summary

Mastering the ability to learn is crucial for success in any field, and this responsibility lies with the individual, not the education system.
0:00 / 1:04

This work is a guide to effective learning and memory retention. It emphasizes that the responsibility for learning lies with the individual, and that teachers and coaches can enhance their effectiveness by incorporating these principles into their teaching methods. It's not about reforming education policy or the school system, but about what individuals can do right now to improve their learning. The strategies discussed have been applied by college professors to narrow the achievement gap in sciences, with promising results. The book is intended for students, teachers, and all readers who prioritize effective learning. It underscores that mastering the ability to learn is crucial for success in any field. The book refrains from being overly prescriptive, instead presenting empirical research and examples for readers to draw their own conclusions. However, it does offer practical advice for students, lifelong learners, teachers, and trainers. The principles remain consistent across these groups, but the application may vary depending on the setting, life stage, and learning materials.

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