Distributed Studying
This study technique spaces learning over multiple sessions instead of doing it all at once.
What is distributed practice?
This basic study technique involves testing yourself on material without looking at your notes or textbook.
What is self-quizzing?
This learning strategy improves memory by having students try to answer or solve a problem before being taught the correct answer.
What is Generation?
This is one of the biggest benefits of group discussion, where hearing different viewpoints challenges your own ideas.
What is critical thinking?
This common last-minute learning approach is the opposite of distributed practice.
What is massed practice, or cramming?
This psychological phenomenon explains why information becomes stronger in memory each time you successfully recall it from scratch
What is the testing effect?
The generation effect shows that attempting an answer first strengthens this cognitive process.
What is long-term memory retention?
This skill is strengthened in group discussion because students must share and listen to each other’s ideas.
What is communication?
This is the main reason distributed practice is considered one of the most effective learning strategies.
What is improving long-term retention and reducing forgetting?
This is the main drawback of retrieval practice - it feels harder and less effective than re-reading, even though it's actually more powerful for long-term learning.
What are desirable difficulties?
Even when students generate the wrong answer, research shows they still benefit from this kind of learning.
What is enhanced recall and deeper understanding?
This benefit of group discussion comes from students collaborating and building knowledge together.
What is teamwork?
This term describes the phenomenon where spreading out study sessions leads to better memory over time.
What is the spacing effect?
This study method is not just remembering facts, but strengthening the mental pathways that help you think and problem-solve.
What is building cognitive flexibility?
A real-world example of the generation strategy is when a teacher asks students to predict an outcome of an experiment before revealing the results. Another example is this common classroom activity.
What is answering fill-in-the-blank or short-answer questions?
This role in group discussion involves keeping conversation on track and organized.
What is a facilitator?