Active Recall
Active recall has been studied and discussed by various researchers in the field of cognitive psychology and education, but the underlying principles of the technique can be contributed to two psychologists, Hermann Ebbinghaus and Robert Bjork. Active recall is a key component of many successful study strategies and is often used in combination with other techniques like spaced repetition. By incorporating active recall into your study routine, you can enhance your understanding and retention of the material more effectively. Let’s look at how it’s done!
How do we use active recall in our study sessions?
Active recall can be used in many different ways ways, but the main idea is to recall information (hence the name) from your memory rather than just reviewing it. Here's a couple of ways on how you can incorporate active recall into your study routine:
Create flashcards: Write down key concepts, definitions, or questions on flashcards. When you're studying, try to recall the information associated with each flashcard without looking at the answer. Once you've tried to recall the information, flip the flashcard to check if you got it right. Keep practicing until you remember the information consistently.
Practice quizzes: Create your own or use practice quizzes related to the material you're studying. Answer the questions without referring to your notes or textbooks. After completing the quiz, review your answers to see where you need to improve. Repeat the quiz every now and then to keep it fresh in your memory.
Summarize without looking: After studying a section of material, close your textbook or notes and try to summarize the key points in your own words. This forces you to actively recall information from memory rather than relying on reviewing.
Teach someone else: Teaching someone else is a highly effective way to strengthen your own understanding and memory of a topic. Explain the material to a friend, family member, or study group member without referring to your notes. This requires you to recall the information and explain it in a way that someone else can understand.
Mind maps or concept maps: Create visual representations of the material you're studying using mind maps or concept maps (if you’re not sure what that is, check out our post on Mind Mapping!). Start with a central concept and branch out to related ideas, making connections between them. Then, try to recall the information associated with each concept without looking at the map. This can help you organize and remember information more effectively.
What are some of the benefits?
Active recall offers numerous benefits for learners of all ages and backgrounds. By actively engaging with the material and retrieving information from memory, learners can deepen their understanding, retention, and improve long-term recall of subject matter. This approach allows for an active and participatory learning experience, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and comprehension of complex concepts. It encourages learners to take ownership of their learning process, fostering independence and self-directed learning skills. Furthermore, active recall promotes efficient study habits by focusing on targeted retrieval of information rather than passive review, leading to more effective learning outcomes in terms of both knowledge acquisition and retention over time.
What kind of learner is Active Recall geared at?
We believe Active Recall can be used by students of all ages and backgrounds, but here’s who we think will benefit the most:
Self-directed learners: Active recall empowers self-directed learners to take control of their learning process. By actively retrieving information from memory, they can deepen their understanding and retain knowledge more effectively, leading to more efficient and enjoyable learning experiences.
Individuals looking to improve problem-solving skills: Active recall is particularly beneficial for developing problem-solving skills as it requires an application of knowledge in solving problems and challenges. By actively practicing problem-solving techniques, learners can strengthen their ability to tackle new and unfamiliar problems.
Long-term retention goals: Active recall promotes long-term retention of information by repeatedly retrieving and reviewing material over time. This helps your brain’s memory recall pathways and assists with encoding information more effectively into long-term memory, leading to better retention and recall in the future.
What subject is this method best used for?
Active recall is highly adaptable and can be applied across a wide range of subjects and learning contexts, from academic studies to professional development and lifelong learning. Here’s a couple of subjects it is suitable for:
Language learning: Active recall is highly effective for language learning as it helps learners memorize vocabulary, grammar rules, and language patterns by actively recalling and using them in context. This promotes deeper understanding and retention of language skills.
STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics): Active recall is well-suited for STEM subjects that involve problem-solving and conceptual understanding. By actively practicing problem-solving techniques and recalling relevant concepts, learners can develop a deeper understanding of the underlying principles and improve their problem-solving skills.
Humanities subjects: Active recall is beneficial for humanities subjects where understanding and retention of complex concepts are important. By actively engaging with the material and retrieving information from memory, learners can deepen their understanding of historical events, literary works, philosophical concepts, and more.
Professional fields such as medicine, law, and engineering: Active recall is crucial for professions where knowledge retention is essential for success. By actively retrieving and reviewing information, professionals can strengthen their memory recall pathways and retain important knowledge and skills required for their profession.