While the provided reference doesn't explicitly detail all cognitive strategies taught in schools, it highlights several evidence-based techniques that are highly relevant to the learning environment and often employed in educational settings to enhance retention and learning. These strategies, although not an exhaustive list of all taught in schools, are crucial for effective learning and are supported by cognitive science. Here's a breakdown:
Core Cognitive Strategies for Learning:
The following table outlines the cognitive strategies mentioned, their description, and how they might be used in a school setting.
| Strategy | Description | Classroom Application |
|---|---|---|
| Repetition | Reviewing information multiple times to reinforce memory. | Teachers assigning homework that reinforces class content, utilizing quizzes, and review sessions. |
| Spaced Learning | Revisiting information at increasing intervals to improve long-term retention. | Curriculum design that revisits core concepts throughout the term/year. Review sessions before tests and exams are good examples |
| Explain it to Someone Else | Articulating learned material to another person, solidifying understanding. | Peer teaching exercises, presentations, and group projects are useful approaches |
| Write it in Your Own Language | Rephrasing concepts in your own words to deepen comprehension. | Note-taking strategies, summarizing class material, and writing reflective journals. |
| Use Real-World Examples | Connecting abstract ideas to concrete, real-life scenarios to enhance understanding. | Teachers using examples that students can relate to, field trips, case studies, and hands-on activities. |
| Distributed Practice | Breaking up study sessions into smaller, spaced-out chunks, instead of cramming before exams. | Time management skills taught by teachers, review sessions spread out over time and assigned projects with specific timelines |
| Visualization Techniques | Creating mental images to recall information effectively. | Using graphic organizers, mind maps, and visual aids in class material, story boarding for writing and concept mapping for brainstorming |
| Quiz Yourself | Testing your recall frequently, identifying learning gaps, and reinforcing concepts. | Using low-stakes quizzes in the classroom, encourage self-quizzing with flashcards and reviewing past material. |
Understanding the Importance of these Strategies
These cognitive strategies help students learn and retain information more effectively. It is crucial to incorporate them into learning habits for the best outcomes. For example:
- Repetition & Spaced Learning: Instead of cramming the night before, a student might review the material multiple times throughout the week, with increasing intervals between reviews.
- Explain it to Someone Else: A student might explain the core concepts of a chapter to a classmate or family member which helps to clarify their understanding.
- Real-World Examples: In science class, a student might learn about the concept of gravity and link it to the way a ball falls, or the reason they stay on the ground.
- Visualization: In history, they might visualise the events of a specific battle, making it easier to remember.
These strategies, when applied correctly, enhance retention, make complex ideas more accessible, and ultimately improve learning outcomes for students.
