Other Potentially Useful Learning Methods

Although spaced practice and retrieval practice are the most powerful learning methods discovered to
date, other methods may also be helpful (however there is less available research and/or only specific
types of information may benefit). Such methods that might be worth trying include: 1,2

 Self-explanation – in some cases it can be helpful to come up with explanations, in your own
words, of to-be- learned concepts or ideas. Rather than solely relying on provided definitions
(for example, from lectures or textbooks), create your own (while still making sure that they are
accurate).

 Interleaved practice – when you are learning two or more related concepts or skills, instead of
focusing exclusively on one concept or skill at a time, it can be helpful to alternate between
them (for example, if you are learning topic A and topic B, rather than practice only A on one day
and only B on the next, you can practice both on each day by incorporating a mixture of the two
topics or by switching back and forth between them). Examples of materials that interleaved
practice can benefit include similar types of math problems (for example, calculating volumes of
different shapes), easily confused grammatical tenses, and similar classes of visual stimuli.

 Learning information using both written and graphical formats – for some types of information
that were originally presented as text (such as on lecture slides or in a textbook), transforming
that information into a different visual format, such as a diagram (and then studying both), can
be helpful.

 Using worked examples with practice problems – if you are learning to solve a problem type
that requires the execution of a multi-step procedure (of which a common learning technique is
to complete sets of practice problems), consider reviewing worked examples. A worked example
is a practice problem that has already been solved (with each step of the problem-solving
procedure displayed in sequence). Worked examples can be found in textbooks, solution
manuals, and on instructional websites. By studying a worked example, you can better learn how
a given problem type is successfully solved. Worked examples can also help you better
remember the solution steps to a problem type.

Further Resources

How-To Video      

 How to Use Interleaved Practice

Effective Learning Techniques

 Scientific American article, “What Works, What Doesn’t" (2013)

 Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning (2014)

  Cornell University: How to Study Effectively (videos)

References
1 
Pashler, H., Bain, P. M., Bottge, B. A., Graesser, A., Koedinger, K., McDaniel, M., & Metcalfe, J. (2007).
Organizing Instruction and Study to Improve Student Learning. IES Practice Guide. NCER 2007-
2004. National Center for Education Research.
2
 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.

Prepared by S. C. Pan for UCSD Psychology

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