the uk learning science, learning census · 2019-11-27 · mindmaps / spider diagrams past papers...

1

The UK

Learning

Census

Are Your

Students Revising

Effectively?

A clear view of study preferences

today, helping accelerate take-up of

evidence-based learning strategies.

Learning science,

student engagement &

the 2020 Revision Census

2

To what extent are today’s

students using effective learning

techniques in their studies?

3www.revisioncensus.com | [email protected] Exam Study Expert Podcast

1 What is effective independent learning?

2 What we know about uptake to date

3The 2020 Revision Census: informing the

mission to accelerate uptake of best practice

4 Challenges of adoption


The power and challenge of effective learning

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Re Readers Testers

41%

61%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Re Readers TestersGroup A:

re-readers

Group B:

retrieval practice

Group A:

re-readers

Group B:

retrieval practice

Human intuition is notoriously fallible, and can often lead us astray when it comes to learning

20%

“C” grade

“E” grade

1 Effective independent learning

How well did students think they would

perform after learning different waysActual test performance

one week later


The Roediger study set the tone for this branch of

cognitive psychology for the next decade

Main takeaways:

1. Some learning techniques are much

more powerful than others

2. It will be challenging to get best

practice adopted


Even once students are introduced

to effective techniques


Taking an 80 / 20 approach to effective independent

learning


Dual coding

Retrieval practice

Spaced learning

InterleavingChunking Mnemonics

Concrete examples


The classic Dunlosky review offers a useful

categorisation of the effectiveness of study techniques

Examining the evidence:

how well do different

revision techniques work?

Dunlosky et al 2013: evidence from a

comprehensive review of 400+

separate scientific studies

Asking questions to explore the topic

Explaining it to oneself

Summarising and making notes

Highlighting or underlining

Imagery use or keyword mnemonic

Rereading

Retrieval practice

Spaced learning

Interleaving: jumbling topics up



Why retrieval practice works: the mechanics of retrieval

You try to remember something

Remembered

accurately

Your memory of that

information gets

significantly stronger

Why…?

Remember inaccurately

Highlights where you need to do more work

Didn’t know

Helps you learn next time (increased attention)



Why retrieval practice works: neuroscience of memory



The instant you stop learning, you start forgetting

Time (days)

since learning

%

remembered

1 5 30

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

Forgetting curve adapted from Ebbinghaus (1885/1964, pp. 67–76)



The solution lies in spacing out your learning over time

Time

% remembered

1st time of

study

2nd time of

study

3rd time of

study



Spaced learning in practice

After a

short breakAt the end of

the session

End of

the day

On the 2nd

morning after

learning

A week

later

Every few

weeks

It’s not about spending more hours on each topic, it’s about spreading that time out







4 Challenges of driving adoption

15

If effective learning techniques

are so useful, presumably most

students are now using them?


0 10 20 30

Past papers (without notes)

Blank sheet recall

Flashcards

Re-reading

Highlighting / underling

Mindmaps / spider diagrams

Past papers (with notes)

Audio / video

Summarising

Uptake of effective learning: what we know so far

What is your most often-used strategy used when studying?

% UK school pupils, Exam Study Expert data, 2019

2 Uptake: the story so far

Adoption of effective

learning techniques

appears to be limited


Uptake of effective learning: what we know so far

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Other retrieval practice

Flashcards

Group study

Past papers

Summarising

Re-reading

Rewriting notes

Mnemonics

Highlighting / underlining

% US college students, Karpicke & Roediger 2009

2 Uptake: the story so far

What is your most often-used strategy used when studying?

The data we do have

from the academic

literature tells a similar

story

19

To what extent are students today using

effective learning techniques in their studies?

We don’t really know

But we want to find out

Because once we understand the

answer, it will be easier to accelerate

the uptake of best practice


Introducing the 2020 Revision Census: capturing the

“state of the nation” of independent learning today

• What learning techniques do they use?

• Understanding vs behaviour

• Hours worked

Motivation & mindset

Learning context

Subject-specific issues

2

5

4

Core research questions: Secondary research questions:

Attitudes to learning

3

A 10-minute online survey, 100k student responses

How do students approach independent learning?

1

3 The 2020 Revision Census


There is still time to get involved in the 2020 Revision

Census (and we offer great perks)

3 The 2020 Revision Census

Participation is at no cost for all UK schools, and offers compelling benefits:

Free data: dashboard-style overview of how your students responded, showing you at a

glance how they approach independent learning and revision today

Benchmarking: vs average from other schools, so you can see how you compare

Bespoke recommendations: our actionable advice on how your students specifically could

study more effectively, unlocking higher exam grades this year

To find out more about getting your school involved, please fill

out the form on your chair and we’ll email your invitation to you

23

What can I take away to help get

my students using effective

learning techniques today?


The challenge of getting students to do things

differently

4 Challenges of driving adoption of best practice

Having students know

what works

Getting behaviour to stick

Even good tools can be

wielded ineffectively

Awareness

Engagement

Proficiency


Awareness: knowing what techniques work


Retrieval

practice

Spaced

learning

Dual

codingChunking Etc.

Principles of

effective

learning:

Study

strategies:

Retrieval notes

Testing a friend

Practice questions

Flashcards / quiz apps

Blank page retrieval


Engagement: the psychology of behaviour change


Why change

• Save time

• Better grades

Evidence it works

Reason it works

Relatable stories

What will it feel like?

• Harder work at first!

The hardest step is often the first


Proficiency: applying good principles skilfully


28

Closing thoughts


Recommended reading

Make It StickUnderstanding

How We Learn

Outsmart Your

Exams

Effective learning for

students & teachers

Effective learning

for teachers

Effective recall &

exam technique for

students & teachers


More on the science of preparing for and taking exams

For schools: CPD and

revision workshops

For students: Exam Study

Expert blog and podcast


Hope to see you in the 2020 Revision Census

To find out more about getting your school involved, please fill

out the form on your table and we’ll email your invitation to you

or visit www.revisioncensus.com and complete the webform

A clear view of study preferences

today, helping accelerate take-up of

evidence-based learning strategies.

Compelling benefits for schools

Data on how your students study today

Benchmarking

Bespoke recommendations

32

Welcome

www.examstudyexpert.com The science

of learning

& memory

The psychology

of study

productivity

The secrets to

great exam

technique* *Wishing them every success!

the uk learning science, learning census · 2019-11-27 · mindmaps / spider diagrams past papers...

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