Study Reveals that Testing is a Better way to Learn.
Posted At : February 2, 2011 11:24 AM
Testing helps students learn and works better than some other well known methods, this is according to a recent article in the New York Times , which features research by Purdue University, Indiana. (Registration may be needed to read article).
The study looked at three learning methods – repeated studying, drawing detailed diagrams, known also as concept mapping, and finally retrieval practice testing.
The piece is an interesting read and shares some fascinating insights including ;
Students who read a passage, then took a test asking them to recall what they had read, retained about 50 percent more of the information a week later than students who used two other methods.
Concept mapping and repeated studying seem to give students the illusion that they know material better than they do.
In explaining why practice testing is so effective in learning, Robert Bjork, a psychologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, said, “What we recall becomes more recallable in the future. In a sense you are practicing what you are going to need to do later.”
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The project proved a phenomenal success with a total of over 12 million tests taken online since its launch in 2006.
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