Retrieval Practice

Overview and Reading Lists

Retrieval practice is the act of having to retrieve something from your memory (often with the help of a cue).

What does the evidence tell us?

• Recent research has shown that retrieval is critical for robust, durable, long-term learning. Every time a memory is retrieved, that memory becomes more accessible in the future. Retrieval also helps us create coherent and integrated mental representations of complex concepts, the kind of deep learning necessary to solve new problems and draw new inferences. (Durrington Research School)

A really useful starting point to understand retrieval practice, interleaving and spacing can be found here, here and here.

It is well worth the time to read The Science of Learning – Deans for Impact to get an understanding of how students learn and what implications this has for how we teach.

At FHES, we use knowledge organisers for our home learning (homework) strategy, and to read about how to use knowledge organisers, as part of retrieval practice, please read the blog posts below:

How do knowledge organisers work alongside retrieval practice?

• Knowledge organisers – Joe Kirby
• Knowledge organisers and self-quizzing as a 5 year revision plan – Joe Kirby
• Using knowledge organisers to improve retrieval practice –  Andy Tharby  
• Self-quizzing as a form of homework – Rebecca Foster
• Knowledge Organisers at Primary level – Jon Brunskill
• Knowledge Organisers – Michael Tidd
• Introducing knowledge organisers – Rob Monk
• Making knowledge stick – Ross Morrisson McGill
• Using knowledge organisers – Greg Thornton
• Guide to making and using knowledge organisers – Sarah McCleary

Blog Posts to read:

• The role of retrieval practice in the classroom – Firth, Smith, Havard and Boxer
• How to improve retrieval practice – good to great – Ben Newmark
• Retrieval Practice in the Collaborative Setting – Blake Havard
• Retrieval Practice – the what, why and how of total recall… – Robin Launder
• Knowledge Retrieval Practice Grids – Kate Jones
• Retrieval Practice – The Learning Scientists
• The critical role of retrieval practice in long term retention – Roediger and Butler
• What will improve a student’s memory? – Daniel Willingham
• Retrieval Practice, the most powerful teaching strategy that you’re not using! – Jennifer Gonzalez
• The benefits of retrieval practice – Andy Tharby
• Where does retrieval practice sit with formative and summative assessment? – retrievalpractice.org
• A powerful way to improve learning and memory – Jeffrey Karpicke
• The benefits of spaced practice in the classroom – Megan Smith
• Optimal time for spacing gaps? – Damian Benney
• Spacing in a content heavy subject – Damian Benney
• Do It Now Tasks: Intent v Implementation – Jack Tavassoly-Marsh

Information to share with students:

• How to study/revise with retrieval practice – The Learning Scientists
• How to use retrieval practice (video)

Useful Videos:

• Retrieval Practice – Tom Sherrington
• How to remember anything, forever – Daisy Christodoulou
• Do Now – Dixons
• Do It Now Tasks at FHES

Useful Podcasts:

• Bjork and Bjork with Craig Barton – forgetting, memory, testing and desirable difficulties.
• Planning retrieval into the curriculum – Phil Naylor and Mark Enser

Literature:

• Rosenshine’s Principles in Action – Tom Sherrington
• Teach Like Nobody’s Watching – Mark Enser
• Retrieval Practice: Research and Resources for Every Classroom – Kate Jones

Latest FHES Teacher Blogs on Retrieval Practice

• ‘Do Now’ Tasks – Intent v Implementation
• Using knowledge organisers for home learning at FHES