Hello Sagradans! How is your class going so far?
Are you currently studying science or preparing for an upcoming quiz? Did you know that there’s a learning technique that can transform the way you study and retain information? It’s called active recall, and it’s not just for acing tests – it’s a skill that can benefit you throughout your life and future career.
Let’s get into what active recall is, why it works, and how you can start using it today.
What is Active Recall?
Active recall is a learning strategy where you actively test your memory of information, rather than passively reviewing it. It’s like giving your brain a workout, strengthening the neural connections that help you remember and apply what you’ve learned (Karpicke & Roediger, 2008).
The Science Behind Active Recall
Research shows that active recall is one of the most effective ways to learn:
- Memory boost: Studies have found that testing yourself leads to better long-term retention compared to simply re-reading your notes (Roediger & Karpicke, 2006).
- Improved understanding: Active recall helps you identify gaps in your knowledge, making your study time more efficient (Dunlosky et al., 2013).
- Better application: This technique enhances your ability to use information in new situations, an important skill for real-world problem-solving (Butler, 2010).
How to Practice Active Recall
Let’s explore five effective active recall techniques with specific examples:
- Flashcards: For a high school biology class studying cellular organelles:
- Front: “What are the primary functions of the Golgi apparatus?”
- Back: “1) Modifies proteins and lipids 2) Sorts and packages macromolecules for secretion or use within the cell 3) Forms lysosomes”
- Self-quizzing: After studying the water cycle in an elementary science class:
- Set a timer for 5 minutes.
- Write down all the stages you can remember (e.g., evaporation, condensation, precipitation).
- For each stage, note one key fact (e.g., evaporation occurs when water is heated by the sun).
- List examples of where each stage occurs in nature (e.g., precipitation: rain, snow, hail).
- Teach-back method: For a high school chemistry class learning about chemical bonding:
- Imagine explaining ionic bonding to a 10-year-old sibling.
- Start with a simple definition: “Ionic bonding is when atoms share electrons to form a molecule.”
- Use a real-life analogy: “It’s like two friends sharing a toy. One friend (sodium) gives its toy (electron) to another friend (chlorine) who really wants it.”
- Explain the result: “This sharing makes both atoms happy and creates a strong bond between them, forming a new substance like table salt.”
- Practice problems: For a middle school math class learning about percentages:
- Create your own word problem: “Your class has raised ₱5000 for a community outreach program. You want to spend 50% on food packs, 30% on school supplies for underprivileged children, and use the remaining amount for a small celebration for the volunteers. How much will you allocate for each category?”
- Solve it step-by-step:
- Food packs: 50% of ₱5000 = 0.50 × ₱5000 = ₱2500
- School supplies: 30% of ₱5000 = 0.30 × ₱5000 = ₱1500
- Volunteer celebration: Remaining 20% = 0.20 × ₱5000 = ₱1000
- Check your answer by ensuring all categories add up to the total ₱5000.
- Concept mapping: For a high school literature class studying Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”:
- Draw a circle in the center of a page and write “The Tell-Tale Heart.”
- From memory, create branches for main themes (e.g., guilt, madness, paranoia).
- For each theme, add characters or events that relate to it.
- Connect related elements across themes.
- After completing your map, compare it to your class notes and add any missing important elements in a different color.
Real-Life Applications
Active recall isn’t just for school – it’s a valuable skill for various careers:
- Medical Professionals: Doctors and nurses use active recall to quickly remember critical information. For example, a paramedic might regularly quiz themselves on drug dosages and emergency protocols (Larsen et al., 2013).
- Teachers: Educators use active recall to remember student names, lesson plans, and subject matter. A history teacher might practice recalling key dates and events before each class.
- Software Developers: Programmers often need to recall specific syntax or algorithms. They might practice writing code snippets from memory, then checking for accuracy.
- Chefs: Culinary professionals use active recall to remember recipes and techniques. Before preparing a dish, they might try to list all ingredients and steps from memory.
- Public Speakers: Whether you’re giving a class presentation or a professional speech, active recall can help you remember key points without relying heavily on notes.
Enhancing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Active recall can also enhance your social-emotional skills:
- Self-awareness: As you practice active recall, pay attention to your emotions. How do you feel when you successfully remember information? How do you handle frustration if you can’t recall something?
- Self-management: Use active recall to remember stress-management techniques or positive self-talk phrases. This can help you regulate your emotions during challenging situations.
- Social awareness: When studying history or literature, use active recall to remember different perspectives and experiences of various characters or historical figures. This can enhance your empathy and understanding of others.
- Relationship skills: Practice recalling effective communication strategies or conflict resolution steps. This can improve your interactions with peers and adults.
- Responsible decision-making: As you solve practice problems or create concept maps, reflect on the ethical implications of different choices or ideas. This can develop your critical thinking skills in real-world contexts.
Active recall is a powerful learning technique that can enhance your academic performance, prepare you for future careers, and boost your social-emotional skills. By using these methods in your study routine, you’re not just memorizing facts – you’re training your brain to retrieve and apply information effectively while developing important life skills.
So, whether you’re preparing for a science quiz or a high school literature exam, give these active recall techniques a try. Your future self – as a student, professional, and well-rounded individual – will thank you!
References
- Butler, A. C. (2010). Repeated testing produces superior transfer of learning relative to repeated studying. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 36(5), 1118-1133.
- Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students’ learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58.
- Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968.
- Larsen, D. P., Butler, A. C., & Roediger III, H. L. (2013). Comparative effects of test-enhanced learning and self-explanation on long-term retention. Medical Education, 47(7), 674-682.
- Roediger, H. L., & Karpicke, J. D. (2006). Test-enhanced learning: Taking memory tests improves long-term retention. Psychological Science, 17(3), 249-255.