All in For Teachers
How many boxes can you hold? It is clearly a trick question. The answer, like so many things in our complex world of education is, of course, it depends. It depends on several factors that match up quite nicely with the same questions of what we can hold in working memory.
If you read our blog, even sporadically, you are almost certainly aware that investigations into evidence-based learning strategies have been ongoing for quite some time. In fact, as we near the end of 2025, I’m realizing that Ebbinghaus’ work on spaced practice …
… I think of those conversations with my dad often. About the enthusiasm and curiosity they inspired in me. And the stark contrast in how I felt about technology and the future then to how I feel about technology and the future now. All of which was highlighted for me recently when I tapped my phone - my little doom machine - awake to send a message, only to receive a Google News recommendation about an article in Forbes magazine entitled, “When Knowledge is Free, What are Professors For?”
It was a hard hit knowing that my second son’s speech was not conventional. I had done well with my 1st son, teaching him to read before age 3 but I didn't track his progress intentionally to know how many words he spoke at what age so, I was looking forward to …
Retrieval practice is one of the most robust strategies that we have for durable learning. Today I’m reviewing a study that pushed retrieval practice to it’s limits. If retrieval practice is THIS effective, are we wasting time with lectures? Should we just jump straight to the practice?
Today’s piece is a repost from a number of years ago. I’ve loved comparing “hiding broccoli in the brownies” to infusing retrieval practice into fun activities. Doing so is a great way to get even more retrieval practice! i do it in my classes with adult learners, and I suspect it is particularly helpful to elementary school teachers. However, it’s also …
