Domain

Practice, Memory & Retention

Learning that isn't retrieved is rented, not owned. The forgetting curve is not a moral failing — it's physics, and these techniques are the counter-moves.

The problems

“They forget everything by next week”4 techniques
“Their idea of revision is re-reading notes”4 techniques
“They ace the drill, then can’t apply it”4 techniques
“Each new topic pushes out the last one”4 techniques
“Homework comes back copied, late, or not at all”3 techniques

The techniques

The Brain DumpStrong researchBooks closed, students write everything they remember, then check the page against the source.Interleave ItStrong researchMix problem types within practice so students choose the method as well as use it.Knowledge OrganisersTeacher craftPut the unit's essential knowledge on one page, then quiz from it every week.Low-Stakes QuizzingStrong researchFive quick questions, self-marked and never entered in a mark book, so quizzing strengthens memory.Reps to FluencyPromising researchKeep practising after the first success, until the skill is fast as well as accurate.Retrieval PracticeStrong researchBuild remembering into every week, because trying to recall does more than reading it again.Teach Self-TestingStrong researchTeach students to test themselves when they revise, because left alone they reread.Spaced ReviewStrong researchBring earlier topics back in starters and quizzes, just as students begin to forget them.