Retrieval practice with instant feedback makes learning stick
Time and time again, scientific evidence has shown that learning is maximal when accompanied with high quality feedback. And when this feedback is instant, the learning sticks!
Student outcomes are even more enhanced when instant feedback is given during retrieval practice, something that sAInaptic's revision app is grounded in!
What is retrieval practice?
It is the act of actively recalling information that has been previously 'learned'.
Decades of research by cognitive scientists has shown that:
retrieval practice improves learning by strengthening long term memory
it improves higher order thinking and retrieval practice with feedback enhances students' metacognition (knowing what they know and what they don't know)
it is a much better learning strategy than re-reading, watching videos or listening to lectures and even note-taking
retrieval practice should be used as a go-to revision method to improve understanding and retention and not just as part of assessments
ultimately, retrieval practice with open-ended questions will improve scientific oracy which can only be beneficial in the longer run
How sAInaptic helps in retrieval practice
Retrieval practice using multiple choice questions works well but practicing on exam style open-ended questions that require constructed answers really helps improve scientific oracy, long term retention of scientific concepts and transfer of learning (ability to apply concepts from one field to another).
In school:
If you are a teacher, start your lesson with retrieval practice on sAInaptic's open-ended questions;
Encourage your students to answer questions Live in-class from a lesson/topic taught previously and go over the instant feedback they receive specifically for their answer;
Using the dashboard, instantly identify top concepts that your students have understood or not quite got the hang of;
Tweak your lesson plan accordingly so that your teaching time is best spent targeting gaps in knowledge and reinforcing what has been grasped.
At home:
Encourage your children/students to use sAInaptic on a regular basis and answer questions diligently, by actively recalling what they have learnt in class;
Paying attention to the instant and personalised feedback after every question will help in identifying gaps in knowledge and misconceptions and reinforces concepts they have already understood;
Re-visit topics and attempt similar questions by monitoring progress via the dashboard
Retrieval practice will only ever work if students are encouraged to actively think, recall and apply knowledge previously learned. sAInaptic offers a range of questions carefully designed to cover simple recalling of facts to more complex application of concepts such that practising on sAInaptic improves overall cognition. Each session only consists of 5 exam-style open-ended questions so the revision is focused and engaging.
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