Retrieval Practice: How to Use Retrieval Practice to Improve Learning

Fill-in-the-blank practice flashcards covering core concepts, cognitive benefits, practical implementation tools, and research insights on retrieval practice.

Retrieval practice is a learning strategy where the main focus is on getting information __________ students' heads.

out of

Through the act of retrieval, calling information to mind strengthens memory and makes __________ less likely to occur.

forgetting

The fourth U.S. President cited as an example of retrieval in the guide is __________.

James Madison

To maximize learning, retrieval should be used as a learning strategy, not an __________ tool.

assessment

Research demonstrates that retrieval is a more potent learning strategy than lecturing, re-reading, or __________.

taking notes

When information comes to mind easily and feels fluent, memory researchers have found that it is easy to __________.

forget

Having to actually recall and write down an answer to a flashcard improves learning more than flipping the card over __________.

prematurely

Awareness of what students know and do not know is called __________.

metacognition

To help students know whether they got an answer correct or incorrect during retrieval practice, teachers must always provide __________.

feedback

Retrieval practice benefits both low and __________ ability students.

high

An inexpensive, non-technological alternative to clickers where students hold up letters A, B, C, or D is using colored __________.

index cards

Small slips of paper given at the very beginning of class containing questions about previously learned content are called __________ work.

bell

Slips of paper provided right before students leave the classroom to engage them in retrieval practice are called exit __________.

tickets

Inserting cardboard into a page protector creates a DIY __________ board for quick student responses.

dry erase

Unlike cold calling, retrieval practice strategies are preferred by focus group teachers because they engage the __________ class.

entire

According to the pie chart on student survey results regarding retrieval practice, __________ report a decrease in test anxiety by the end of the school year.

$$72\%$$

Learning and metacognition increase most when feedback includes __________ about why responses were correct or incorrect.

explanations

Rather than assigning homework on material covered earlier that day, students should be challenged with homework on content learned last __________.

week

To keep the focus on retrieval practice as a learning strategy rather than assessment, activities should be provided without points or a __________.

grade

The development of the Retrieval Practice guide was supported by grants awarded to Washington University in St. Louis by the Institute of __________ Sciences.

Education