Knowledge and Reasoning

Researchers at the National Academies of Sciences (2018) have delved into various strategies to enhance learning and memory, identifying key principles for effective practice and engagement with information. Among the strategies found to be promising are retrieval practice, spaced practice, interleaved and varied practice, summarizing and drawing, and explanations. Retrieval practice involves actively recalling information, which has been shown to enhance long-term retention across different learner characteristics and materials. Spaced practice, where learning sessions are distributed over time, consistently outperforms massed practice, promoting better retention and comprehension. Interleaved and varied practice, mixing different activities or skills within a session, can also enhance learning by presenting learners with diverse challenges. Summarizing and drawing aid in organizing and integrating information, with studies showing benefits particularly in school-age children. Developing explanations, including elaborative interrogation, self-explanation, and teaching, encourages learners to engage deeply with material, fostering comprehension and retention. However, careful planning is needed to ensure the effectiveness of each strategy, considering factors such as prior knowledge and the complexity of the learning task. Overall, employing a combination of these strategies can significantly support learning and memory retention across diverse contexts and materials.

The five strategies to support learning outlined by the National Academies of Sciences (2018) align with Gura's emphasis on prioritizing creativity in education. In Mark Gura’s article titled, Fostering Student Creativity (2020), Gura emphasizes the urgent need for educators to prioritize and integrate creativity into teaching practice to prepare students for success in navigating the challenges of an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. The five strategies foster active engagement, deep understanding, and flexible thinking, essential components of creative problem-solving. By integrating these strategies into teaching practice, educators can empower students to thrive in a rapidly changing world, equipped with the creative skills necessary to tackle complex problems and drive meaningful change.

The piece by the National Academies of Sciences (2018) aligns with ISTE Standard 1: Empowered Learner (2017). This standard emphasizes the importance of students taking an active role in their learning by leveraging technology to demonstrate competency in their learning goals, engage in self-directed learning, and contribute to their own learning experiences. The strategies discussed in the chapter, such as retrieval practice, spaced practice, summarizing and drawing, self-explanation, and teaching others, all empower learners to take control of their learning process. These strategies encourage students to actively retrieve and apply knowledge, reflect on their understanding, and collaborate with peers to deepen their comprehension. By incorporating technology tools and platforms that support these strategies, educators can help students become empowered learners who are capable of setting and achieving their learning objectives, adapting to diverse learning environments, and continuously improving their skills and knowledge.

References

Gura, M. (2020). Fostering Student Creativity. EdTech Digest the State of the Arts, Creativity, and Technology 2020: A Guide for Educators and Parents. p. 7. 

ISTE Standards for Educators (2017). Retrieved from: https://www.iste.org/standards/for-educators

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2018. How People

Learn II: Learners, Contexts, and Cultures. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/24783