How People Learn Panel

1. How People Learn Panel Kimberly Fenn Department of Psychology Michigan State University April 27, 2012

2. Topics • Memory Consolidation • Embodied Cognition in the Classroom • Test-enhanced Learning

3. Memory Consolidation • Offline memory processing during sleep • Strengthen/stabilize memory • Inoculate learning against loss • Increase generalization or transfer of skill learning • Performance benefits seen in the absenceof further practice Learning doesn’t stop when students leave the classroom

4. Memory Consolidation • Efficacy of time of test, in relation to learning event • When can you best measure actual ability? Learning doesn’t stop when students leave the classroom

5. Embodied Cognition in the Classroom • Motor processing is involved with basic cognitive processing The hockey player finished the shot.

6. Embodied Cognition in the Classroom • Motor processes not only affect cognition, but also affect learning • Learning can be improved by overt actions • Memory is stronger when tasks are performed than when the same information is studied • Learning can be improved via the observationof action (e.g. hand gesture) • Math learning in children is improved if instruction includes gesture • Involving the motor system in instruction can increase learning and memory

7. Retrieval Practice Test-enhanced Learning • Practicing the skill of retrieval leads to greater stability in memory • Foreign language vocabulary learning • Study and Test on all material (4x) • Continue testing on all material (4x) but stop studying once correct response was obtained • Continue studying all material (4x) but stop testing once correct response was obtained • Study and Test on all material once, but stop both once correct response obtained Karpicke & Roediger, 2008

8. Retrieval Practice • Study and test on all material (4x) • Continue testing on all material but stop studying • Continue studying all material but stop testing • Study and Test on all material 1x, but stop both Karpicke & Roediger, 2008

9. Retrieval Practice • Practicing retrieval leads to greater long-term retention than additional studying • Related studies have found that students do not believe that this form of practice will increase performance • More frequent classroom assessments can increase • overall memory performance

10. Learning doesn’t stop when students leave the classroom • Involving the motor system in instruction can increase learning and memory • More frequent classroom assessments can increase • overall memory performance