What is retrieval practice, and how can it help students embed core subject knowledge?

As secondary school students move up the academic ladder, the importance of core subject knowledge increases. However, it's not just about learning and memorising; it's about retaining that knowledge for the long term. This is where retrieval practice comes in, a powerful tool for enhancing learning outcomes and embedding core subject knowledge.

What is Retrieval Practice?

Retrieval practice refers to the process of actively recalling information from memory. Instead of simply reading notes or listening to lectures, students actively retrieve information from their memory. This process helps students to solidify their understanding and improve their ability to recall information.

How Can Retrieval Practice Help Secondary School Students?

Retrieval practice has several benefits for secondary school students. It helps them:

1. Enhance long-term memory retention: Retrieval practice helps students to retain information in their long-term memory, making it easier for them to recall it later.

2. Identify knowledge gaps: When students actively retrieve information, they may identify gaps in their knowledge, which they can then work on to improve their understanding.

3. Improve exam performance: By regularly practising retrieval, students can improve their performance in exams as they are better able to recall information accurately.

How Can Teachers Incorporate Retrieval Practice in their Teaching?

There are several ways in which teachers can incorporate retrieval practice into their teaching:

1. Quiz students: Quizzing is a simple and effective way to incorporate retrieval practice in the classroom. Teachers can use quizzes to test students' knowledge and encourage them to recall information from memory.
   

2. Use personalised learning platforms: Personalised learning platforms such as Tassomai are an excellent way to incorporate retrieval practice in teaching. Tassomai uses an adaptive learning algorithm to create personalised quizzes for each student, based on their strengths and weaknesses. Data from usage of these platforms is fed back to teachers, enabling them to rapidly identify their students’ knowledge gaps and target interventions. This can save teachers a significant amount of time on marking and admin.
   Read more about using Tassomai in schools.
   

3. Review previous learning: Teachers can start each lesson by reviewing previous learning and asking students to recall key concepts from memory. This not only helps students to retain information but also reinforces previously learned concepts.

4. Incorporate low-stakes testing: Low-stakes testing involves testing students on small amounts of information frequently, with little or no impact on their overall grade. This can be an effective way to encourage retrieval practice and improve long-term memory retention.

In Conclusion

Retrieval practice is a powerful tool for embedding core subject knowledge in secondary school students. Teachers can incorporate retrieval practice into their teaching through quizzing, personalised learning platforms, reviewing previous learning, and low-stakes testing. By encouraging students to actively retrieve information from memory, teachers can enhance their long-term memory retention, identify knowledge gaps, and improve exam performance. Retrieval practice platforms have the added benefit of reducing marking time for teachers because the data generated through their students' usage of these platforms provides immediate feedback on strengths and weaknesses.

Learn more about how Tassomai works and how retrieval practice is embedded into the platform.

Read more about using Tassomai in schools or for families using Tassomai at home.