Learning Principles
The following learning principles have been shown to foster student retention and comprehension.
Retrieval
Focuses on how people can readily remember information or access information so it can be integrated with new content.
Predicting
Captures how people can readily understand and retrieve information if they first participate in predicting connections or applications.
Interleaving
Made up of two interrelating components: (1) spacing out learning sessions, and (2) mixing up practice — so that you continue to “weave back” into previously covered topics and learning principles.
Connecting
The ability to make connections between content and past knowledge is critical for a student to move beyond regurgitation into comprehension.
Practicing
The students should have time to practice in class the cognitive skills you are seeking to instill in the students and assess in your course.
Technique Implementation
The following Chronicle of Higher Education articles explore key moments in your teaching when you can implement techniques based on learning principles.