Learning Course
- Lesson One - Pre-readingThe Power of Prereading - Part One
- The Power of Prereading - Part Two
- The Power of Prereading - Part Three
- The Power of Prereading - Part Four
- The Power of Prereading - Part Five
- Lesson Two - Single TaskingSingle Tasking - Part One
- Single Tasking - Part Two
- Single Tasking - Part Three
- Single Tasking - Part Four
- Single Tasking - Part Five
- Lesson Three - Recognition and RecallRecognition and Recall - Part One
- Recognition and Recall - Part Two
- Recognition and Recall - Part Three
- Recognition and Recall - Part Four
- Recognition and Recall - Part Five
- Lesson Four - Question LoggingQuestion Logging - Part One
- Question Logging - Part Two
- Question Logging - Part Three
- Question Logging - Part Five
- Question Logging - Part Four
- Lesson Five - The Testing EffectThe Testing Effect - Part One
- The Testing Effect - Part Two
- The Testing Effect - Part Three
- The Testing Effect - Part Four
- The Testing Effect - Part Five
- Lesson Six - Taking NotesTaking Notes - Part One
- Taking Notes - Part Two
- Taking Notes - Part Three
- Lesson Seven - Foundational LearningFoundational Learning - Part One
- Foundational Learning - Part Two
- Foundational Learning - Part Three
- Foundational Learning - Part Four
- Foundational Learning - Part Five
- Lesson eight - Deep LearningDeep Learning - Part One
- Deep Learning - Part Two
- Deep Learning - Part Three
- Deep Learning - Part Four
- Deep Learning - Part Five
- Lesson nine - High Yield LearningHigh Yield Learning - Part One
- High Yield Learning - Part Two
- High Yield Learning - Part Three
- High Yield Learning - Part Four
- High Yield Learning - Part Five
- Lesson ten - The Testing EffectThe Testing Effect - Part One
- The Testing Effect - Part Two
- The Testing Effect - Part Three
- The Testing Effect - Part Four
- The Testing Effect - Part Five
- Lesson eleven - active and passive learningActive and Passive Learning - Part One
- Active and Passive Learning - Part Two
- Active and Passive Learning - Part Three
- Active and Passive Learning - Part Four
- Active and Passive Learning - Part Five
- Lesson twelve - Study BlockingStudy Blocking - Part One
- Study Blocking - Part Two
- Study Blocking - Part Three
- Study Blocking - Part Four
- Study Blocking - Part Five
- Lesson thirteen - LinkingLinking - Part One
- Linking - Part Two
- Linking - Part Three
- Linking - Part Four
- Linking - Part Five
- Lesson fourteen - InterleavingInterleaving - Part One
- Interleaving - Part Two
- Interleaving - Part Three
- Interleaving - Part Four
- Interleaving - Part Five
- Lessons fifteen - Application QuestioningApplication Questioning - Part One
- Application Questioning - Part Two
- Copy of Application Questioning - Part Three
- Application Questioning - Part Four
- Application Questioning - Part Five
- Lesson Sixteen - Using TablesTables - Part One
- Tables - Part Two
- Tables - Part Three
- Tables - Part Four
- Tables - Part Five
Recap
The Testing Effect
Testing yourself on what you’re learning. That’s it.
The testing process engages with four important aspects of effective learning.
- Appraisal
- Planning
- Recall
- Application
This is what happens when you test yourself.
- You have to read the question and work out what it’s really asking. This requires appraisal.
- You need to decide how you’re going to answer the question. What knowledge is required to answer it: what equation for maths, essay for English and anatomy for biology? This requires planning.
- You must actively bring the necessary information – attempting to find it from your memory. This requires successful recall.
- Finally, you need to put your thoughts into a coherent answer or possible option. This requires application.
Your biggest improvements are when you first begin learning something. This is why it’s much more effective to attack your weaknesses instead of repeating what you’re already good at.
The term for this is diminishing returns. A beginner can cut minutes off their running time with just a few weeks of training. An elite runner, on the other hand, might train years for just a few seconds of improvement.
The better you get at something, the smaller the gains. As uncomfortable as it might be, attack your weaknesses. This is where your biggest gains are hiding.
When it comes to learning, there’s a good chance you’ll find a test at the end of it. If this is for school, university or work, then this is something you want to do well at. If you want to get better at taking tests, then there is no substitute for testing.
Think about how you learnt to drive or ride a bike. You can read every book there is and it still wouldn’t help you get your license. To be able to drive, you have to drive.
Testing is part of learning. You can learn all the content and still do poorly on your test. If you want to get better at taking tests, test yourself.
Lesson Cards
The Testing Effect
Card 1
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Key Idea
A common learning mistake is to do what is easy or what we’re good at. The problem is, we get little benefit from this. The most effective learning will be comfortably uncomfortable.
Card 2
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Key Idea
The reason why testing is so effective is that you must interactive with your material. This ensures your learning is always “active” and not “passive.”
Card 3
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Key Idea
Testing lets you find your weaknesses so you can focus your efforts where they’re most effective.
Card 4
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Key Idea
If you don’t test yourself on your learning, you’re forced to guess whether or not you really know something.