Are you tired of studying for hours and still feeling like you’re not grasping the material? Do you feel like you’re going about learning the wrong ways? According to the book “Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning”, many of the study techniques we’ve been taught are far from optimal. However, extensive research has yielded a body of insights that constitute a growing science of learning. The book explains highly effective, evidence-based strategies to replace less effective but widely accepted practices. Through stories of people who have found their way to mastery of complex knowledge and skills, they illuminate the principles of learning that the research shows are highly effective. This book is for anyone who wants to learn better and remember longer, from students and teachers to trainers in business and lifelong learners who want to hone their skills. This book provides practical strategies that can be put to work immediately, at no cost, and to great effect. So why continue to waste effort on ineffective methods when you can Make it Stick?
Chapter 1: Learning Is Misunderstood
Imagine you are a pilot, soaring through the skies, in control of a massive aircraft. You’ve undergone extensive training and have years of experience under your belt, but suddenly, something goes wrong. You’re faced with a situation you’ve never encountered before, and you have to act quickly to keep yourself and your passengers safe. This is where the true test of your learning begins.
Learning is a complex process that often goes misunderstood. Many believe that simply memorizing information or following a set of instructions is enough to master a skill or subject. However, the reality is much more nuanced.
True learning involves making mistakes, correcting them, and building a deeper understanding through trial and error.
Key Takeaways
- Learning is often misunderstood as memorization and following instructions.
- Effective learning strategies include retrieval practice, spacing out practice, and active engagement with the material.
- Correcting mistakes is crucial for advanced learning and developing a growth mindset.
The story of the pilot Matt Brown
Early in his career as a pilot, Matt Brown was flying a twin-engine Cessna northeast out of Harlingen, Texas, when he noticed a drop in oil pressure in his right engine. He was alone, flying through the night at eleven thousand feet, making a hotshot freight run to a plant in Kentucky. Despite the odds against him, Matt’s quick thinking and knowledge of the Cessna 401 allowed him to work himself out of the jam and land safely.
This story illustrates the importance of learning and acquiring knowledge in our lives and having the knowledge and skills readily available from memory so you can make sense of future problems and opportunities. As the world becomes more complex, we need to keep learning and remembering all our lives. However, learning is a misunderstood concept. It’s often thought of as simply acquiring information, but it’s much more than that.
Claims Made in This Book
This book makes three claims:
Learning is deeper and more durable when it’s effortful. When you work to retrieve information from memory, you strengthen the neural pathways that make up your learning body. This is why retrieval practice, such as using flashcards or taking quizzes, is a more effective learning strategy than simply rereading the text.
Rereading and massed practice give rise to feelings of fluency that are taken to be signs of mastery. However, these strategies are largely a waste of time when it comes to true mastery or durability. Cramming for exams is a prime example of this.
When you space out practice at a task or interleave the practice of two or more subjects, retrieval is harder and feels less productive. However, this effort produces longer-lasting learning and enables more versatile applications of it in later settings.
These claims may seem counterintuitive, but they’re backed by research and evidence. By understanding the most effective study strategies, you can optimize your learning and achieve true mastery of the material
Making mistakes and correcting them builds the bridges to advanced learning.
Correcting mistakes is crucial for advanced learning, as research shows that students who received feedback on their errors and corrected them had a 30% improvement in their performance compared to those who practised the same task repeatedly. This is because correcting mistakes builds bridges to advanced learning.
It helps you identify your weaknesses, understand the concepts better, and develop a deeper understanding of the subject. When you make a mistake, your brain is forced to work harder to correct it, and this process helps you remember the information better.
Moreover, correcting mistakes also helps you develop a growth mindset, which is essential for lifelong learning. A growth mindset is a belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication.
When you embrace a growth mindset, you are more likely to take risks, learn from your mistakes, and persist in the face of challenges. This is why embracing your mistakes, learning from them, and using them as stepping stones to advanced learning is essential.
How is one to know whose advice to take on how best to go about learning?
Figuring out whose advice to trust for effective learning can be hard, but there are ways to differentiate between scientifically validated research and mere opinions.
First, look for advice that’s based on empirical studies that meet rigorous criteria for design and objectivity. This means the researcher developed a hypothesis and then tested it through a set of experiments that had appropriate control conditions to assure that the results of an investigation are objective and generalizable.
Second, pay attention to the source of the advice. Is it coming from a reputable institution, such as a university or research centre, or from a non-expert who’s simply sharing their personal experience? The former is more likely to be based on scientifically validated research, while the latter may be biased or anecdotal.
Third, consider the context in which the advice is being given. Is it specific to a particular skill or topic, or is it a general approach to learning? Specific advice is more likely to be effective than generic advice that may not apply to your situation.
By following these guidelines, you can better navigate the sea of advice and find what truly works for you.
People Misunderstand Learning
Much like a puzzle piece forced into the wrong place, people’s misconceptions about learning can prevent them from truly understanding the process.
Many believe that the key to effective learning is repetition and rote memorization, but research suggests otherwise. In fact, the more difficult the learning process is, the more durable and long-lasting the memory is likely to be. This means that simply rereading textbooks or passages is not an effective study strategy, no matter how much time and effort is put into it.
Effective learning requires understanding how the brain processes and retains information, and educators and learners alike must be willing to adapt their strategies accordingly. By embracing these strategies and letting go of misconceptions about learning, we can unlock the full potential of our brains and achieve more effective, lasting learning.
Early Evidence
Early evidence suggests there are more effective study strategies than simply rereading textbooks or passages. In fact, studies conducted by Endel Tulving and other researchers have shown that mere repetition does not enhance long-term memory. However, there are other strategies that have been found to be more effective, such as spaced repetition and active recall.
Spaced repetition involves revisiting material at gradually increasing intervals to promote better retention and recall. Active recall refers to the process of actively retrieving information from memory rather than simply re-reading or reviewing it. This can be done through various methods, such as self-quizzing or summarizing information in your own words.
Additionally, other research suggests that varying the context in which you study can also improve memory retention. So, if you’re looking to improve your study habits, it may be worth considering these alternative strategies rather than relying solely on rereading.
Illusions of Knowing
If you think that simply rereading your notes will help you ace your exams, think again. According to research, students often fall into illusions of knowing and overestimate their understanding of the material. This is because familiarity with a text and fluency in reading it can create a false sense of mastery.
Students believe memorizing the precise wording of phrases in their lecture notes or textbook is equivalent to mastering the subject when it only provides the illusion of understanding.
To avoid this illusion of mastery, engaging in active learning strategies that involve testing and self-assessment is essential. Instead of mindlessly rereading notes or texts, try converting main points into questions and answering them, rephrasing ideas in your own words, and relating them to what you already know about the subject.
Knowledge: Not Sufficient, but Necessary
Knowledge is essential, but it’s not enough to succeed in any field without applying higher-level skills like analysis, synthesis, and creative problem-solving. Mastery requires not only memorization of facts but also a conceptual understanding of how to apply that knowledge. It requires mental rehearsal, reflection, and the practice of new skills.
Here are five reasons why knowledge is necessary but not sufficient for success:
Knowledge is the foundation for higher-level skills but not the end goal.
Memorization of facts isn’t enough; conceptual understanding is crucial for problem-solving.
Diligence is necessary, but effective study strategies are also important for learning.
Variety in practice and striving are key components of mastering a skill.
Creativity is important for breakthroughs, but it’s based on a foundation of knowledge.
Without knowledge, there can be no application of higher-level skills. However, without the application of those skills, knowledge alone isn’t enough for success.
As the psychologist Robert Sternberg and two colleagues put it, “one cannot apply what one knows in a practical manner if one doesn’t know anything to apply.”
Testing: Dipstick versus Learning Tool
Testing can be a powerful tool for strengthening memory and interrupting forgetting, as retrieving learning from memory has two profound benefits illustrated by the adage ‘practice makes perfect.’
Firstly, it helps you identify what you know and don’t know, guiding you to further study areas where you are weak.
Secondly, recalling what you have learned causes your brain to reconsolidate the memory, strengthening its connections to what you already know and making it easier to recall in the future.
Research has shown that active retrieval – testing – is more effective in strengthening memory than simply rereading or reviewing the material. In fact, the more effortful the retrieval, the stronger the benefit.
This is why low-stakes quizzing with feedback can be a valuable part of the learning process. The critical role of retrieval practice in keeping our knowledge accessible when needed cannot be overstated.
The Takeaway
The key takeaway from this chapter is that learning is often misunderstood, and we need to reevaluate our assumptions and beliefs about how we learn. The good news is that empirical research has identified several simple and practical strategies that can help us learn better and remember longer.
One of the most effective strategies is retrieval practice, which involves self-quizzing and low-stakes testing to recalibrate our understanding of what we do and do not know. By practising recalling information from memory, we strengthen our neural connections and make it easier to retrieve that information in the future.
Other strategies include spacing out our practice, interleaving the practice of different but related topics or skills, trying to solve problems before being taught the solution, and distilling the underlying principles or rules that differentiate types of problems.
By incorporating these strategies into our learning routines, we can improve our learning outcomes and develop more effective study habits.
Questions answered in the book
What specific claims are made in the book?
How does making mistakes and correcting them contribute to advanced learning?
Making mistakes and correcting them is crucial for advanced learning. Research has shown that this process enhances cognitive flexibility, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. Embrace the discomfort of errors and use them as opportunities for growth.
What are some common misconceptions people have about learning?
You may think that cramming information into your brain is the best way to learn, but research shows that spaced repetition and active recall are much more effective. Don’t fall for the “learning styles” myth either – they’ve been debunked.