5 scientifically supported study tips for kids! [English version]

by Cosmourse .

Five of the best scientifically supported techniques to study and learn more efficiently and effectively. This note is inspired by Ahmed Zaidi’s video and adapted for children’s education.

Ahmed Zaidi is an Artificial Intelligence researcher at Cambridge University where he looks at how technology and Artificial Intelligence can work more effectively with education.

Self-Testing:

    • What is it?

    Self-testing is a learning strategy in which your child first studies material and then tries to recall as much of it as possible, or answer specific questions, without looking back at the material.

    • Example:

    If your child is learning a language (i.e., English). By writing word pairs with your child’s native language on one side and English on the other side, your child can test themselves by covering one side of the page and then the other. Children are far more likely to remember the content than if they were just looking at the English words.

    • Benefit:

    Testing oneself can force our minds to improve recall.

    Distributed Practice

      • What is it?

      Distributed practice is a learning strategy where practice is broken up into several short sessions, over a longer period.

      • Example:

      Rather than reviewing a new language everyday (i.e., day 1, day 2, and day 3), it is much better to increase the spacing over time, i.e., day 1, day 2, day 4, day 8, day 16 etc.

      • Benefit:

      We all forget at an exponential rate, the way to counter that is through a distributed / space repetition technique.

      Elaborative Interrogation

        • What is it?

        Elaborative interrogation means that, when presented with information, students respond to ​'why' questions. This methodology is particularly effective when you're learning factual information. It might not be as effective when you're learning a language.

        • Example:

        Koalas are endangered species. Why? Because there are not many of them? Why? Because they survive in a particular climate / region of the world. Why? Because this region has Eucalyptus leaves which is the only food they eat? Why …

        • Benefit:

        Doing this helps children make links to existing knowledge. It allows you to build memory maps between the content, it allows you to bridge the links between different sentences and different pieces of factual information.

        Self Explanation

        • What is it?

        Self-explanation is a learning technique in which students explain to themselves pieces of a learning material for the purpose of improving their understanding.

        • Example:

        Children study a segment of material and then try to explain themselves how it is related to what they already know and other parts of the topic.

        • Benefit:

        Useful for recalling material, trying to make sense of a topic by connecting ideas and also enables one to identify gaps in their understanding.

        Interleaved Practice

          • What is it?

          When a child is learning two or more related concepts or skills, instead of focusing exclusively on one concept or skill at a time, it can be helpful to alternate between them.

          • Example:

          If your child is learning topic A and topic B, rather than practice only A on one day and only B on the next, your child can practice both on each day by incorporating a mixture of the two topics or by switching back and forth between them).

          • Benefit:

          Helps us to retain new information, acquire new skills, and improve existing abilities in a wide range of subjects.

          Interleaved practice also ensures students are learning the same content but with different environment and knowledge contexts. Similar benefit is experienced in spaced repetition. 

          One of the biggest issues in our educational system today is that we never really get taught how to learn. So, if any of you have used any of the techniques mentioned above, and have anecdotal evidence for how well they've worked, then please let us know!

          If you found this note helpful, please consider subscribing to Ahmed Zaidi’s channel and give him a thumbs up.

          How to reach Ahmed Zaidi:

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