Retrieval‐Based Learning: Research at the Interface between Cognitive Science and Education
Abstract
This essay reviews research on retrieval‐based learning, which refers to the general finding that practicing active retrieval enhances long‐term, meaningful learning. The idea that retrieval promotes learning has existed for centuries, and the first experiments demonstrating retrieval practice effects were carried out near the beginning of experimental research on learning and memory. Interest in retrieval practice was sporadic during the past century, but the topic has received intense interest in recent years as part of a broader movement to integrate research from cognitive science with educational practice. The essay provides a selective review of foundational research and contemporary work that has been aimed at deepening our theoretical knowledge about retrieval practice and integrating retrieval‐based learning within educational activities and settings.
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Test-Enhanced Learning: Taking Memory Tests Improves Long-Term Retention
Roediger, H. L., & Karpicke, J. D. (2006) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01693.x · Cited by 2,867 · see citing works
Self-citationThe power of testing memory: Basic research and implications for educational practice
Roediger, H. L., & Karpicke, J. D. (2006) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2006.00012.x · Cited by 2,037 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Critical Importance of Retrieval for Learning
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1152408 · Cited by 1,791 · see citing works
Self-citationRepeated testing produces superior transfer of learning relative to repeated studying.
Butler, A. C. (2010) · Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition · doi:10.1037/a0019902 · Cited by 492 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Moreover, the benefits of quizzing extended to items that required transfer of knowledge, that is, items that were not exactly identical to the ones quizzed in class (see also Butler, 2010). The work by McDaniel et al. (2013) shows how our existing knowledge about retrieval practice can be directly integrated within r…”
BackgroundThe "testing" phenomenon: Not gone but nearly forgotten.
Glover, J. A. (1989) · Journal of Educational Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-0663.81.3.392 · Cited by 392 · see citing works
Spitzer, H. F. (1939) · Journal of Educational Psychology · doi:10.1037/h0063404 · Cited by 306 · see citing works
Quizzing in Middle‐School Science: Successful Transfer Performance on Classroom Exams
McDaniel, M. A., Thomas, R. C., Agarwal, P. K., McDermott, K. B., & Roediger, H. L. (2013) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.2914 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Learning with retrieval-based concept mapping.
Blunt, J. R., & Karpicke, J. D. (2014) · Journal of Educational Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0035934 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
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Agarwal, P. K., Nunes, L. D., & Blunt, J. R. (2021) · Educational Psychology Review · doi:10.1007/s10648-021-09595-9 · Cited by 211 · see citing works
Self-citationPracticing Retrieval Facilitates Learning
McDermott, K. B. (2021) · Annual review of psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010419-051019 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Worth the Effort: the Start and Stick to Desirable Difficulties (S2D2) Framework
de Bruin, A. B. H., Biwer, F., Hui, L., Onan, E., David, L., & Wiradhany, W. (2023) · Educational Psychology Review · doi:10.1007/s10648-023-09766-w · Cited by 79 · see citing works
- Authors
- Nunes, L. D., & Karpicke, J. D.
- Affiliations
- Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
- Venue
- Emerging Trends in the Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2015-05-15
- Pages
- 1-16
- OpenAlex
- W1561873891
- Cited by
- 31
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2015: 1
- Type
- other
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Emerging Trends in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods
- Keywords
- retrieval practice, long-term memory, meaningful learning, cognitive science in education, teaching practice, learning and memory
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