Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

Flashcards covering the foundational principles of effective learning, cognitive psychology research findings, and real-world case studies from the book 'Make It Stick'.

Who are the three authors of the book 'Make It Stick'?

Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel.

According to the transcript, which ancient playwright is quoted as saying, 'Memory is the mother of all wisdom'?

Aeschylus in 'Prometheus Bound'.

According to the authors, why are most effective learning strategies counterintuitive?

Because we are poor judges of when we are learning well; strategies that feel harder and slower often produce deeper and more durable gains, whereas easy strategies like rereading produce transitory gains.

What are the two primary learning principles applied throughout the structure of the book itself?

Spaced repetition of key ideas and the interleaving of different but related topics.

In the story of pilot Matt Brown, what critical maneuver did he perform to land his Cessna 401 with a failed right engine?

He made his approach in a wide left-hand turn because, without power on the right side, only a left-hand turn provided the lift needed to level out for a touchdown.

What is 'massed practice'?

The single-minded, rapid-fire repetition of something you are trying to burn into memory, such as cramming for an exam.

Why is rereading text considered an ineffective study strategy?

It is time-consuming, does not result in durable memory, and creates an 'illusion of mastery' where rising familiarity with the text is mistaken for understanding the content.

Define 'retrieval practice'.

The act of recalling facts, concepts, or events from memory, which strengthens memory and interrupts forgetting.

What is 'elaboration' in the context of learning?

The process of giving new material meaning by expressing it in your own words and connecting it with what you already know.

What is a 'mental model'?

A mental representation of some external reality that allows for seamless identification and response to complex information, such as a baseball batter deciphering a pitch.

What percentage of what we hear or read is typically lost in very short order according to 'forgetting curves'?

70\, \text{%} is lost quickly, with the remaining 30\, \text{%} falling away more slowly.

What were the results of the 2006 study at Columbia Middle School regarding 'no stakes' quizzing?

Students scored a full grade level higher ($A-$ vs. $C+$) on material that was quizzed compared to material that was only reviewed or restudied.

What is the 'generation effect'?

The phenomenon where memory is strengthened by the modest effort required to generate a cued answer (e.g., solving $foot-s\_ \_e$) rather than simply studying an intact pair ($foot-shoe$).

What did the experiment involving eight-year-olds and beanbag tosses reveal about 'varied practice'?

The group that mixed their practice by tossing at $2\, \text{feet}$ and $4\, \text{feet}$ performed 'by far' the best on a test at a $3-foot$ distance, even though they had never specifically practiced at that distance.

How does 'interleaving' differ from 'blocked' or 'massed' practice in math education?

Instead of practicing many problems of one type (blocked), interleaving mixes different types of problems, forcing the learner to discern which algorithm to apply to a specific problem.

What unique technique did neurosurgeon Mike Ebersold use to repair a torn sinus vein?

He stitched the ends of the torn vein to two small pieces of muscle cut from the patient's own skin to prevent the tissue from tearing under the pressure of a ligature.

According to the transcript, how did Andrew Sobel improve attendance and learning quality in his international political economics course?

He replaced two major exams with $9$ announced, cumulative quizzes distributed across the semester.

What is the 'Leitner box'?

A system for spaced practice using flashcards where materials are moved through a series of boxes; those missed are practiced more frequently, while mastered items are reviewed at longer intervals.

Define 'metacognition' and its role in the 'illusion of knowing'.

Metacognition is the awareness of what one knows; poor metacognition leads students to overestimate their mastery because they mistake 'fluency' in reading for 'mastery' of the underlying ideas.

What quantitative range of time did researchers find produced the best results for school children reciting biographies?

Spending about 60\, \text{%} of the study time in recitation produced the best retention.