Report on an interesting study showing how rote learning of some things results in increasingly creative interpretations of what we have tried to learn, which means it actually gets in the way of remembering, even though more details are recalled. The researchers note that this is not an issue with simple memorization of numbers, words, etc, but it can be an issue where more complex and relational things need to be recalled – the report mentions understanding the solar system as an example and the researchers used recollection of things in pictures for their study for their testing. In such cases, repetition means more things are remembered, but more things are remembered wrong. I’m wondering whether this affects different kinds of rote memorization, such as the muscle memory used when playing a musical instrument, or learning lines in a song or a play. I’m guessing these are more akin to simple recollections of words because they are a linear sequence, whereas the ways we perceive pictures rely on us choosing where to focus. 

Address of the bookmark: http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/news/limitation-of-rote-learning/

Not all of us, no.

But, if you reckon there is any validity at all to personality tests, learning styles and all such pseudo-scientific hokum the answer is ‘yes’, you have been duped. This digestible and brief article presents a small sample of the compelling evidence.

Address of the bookmark: http://fortune.com/2013/05/15/have-we-all-been-duped-by-the-myers-briggs-test/

Very interesting confirmation of something that all teachers know – that the best way to learn is to teach. This uses an experimental method that shows much less than it could and claims much more than it shows.  The researchers have simply shown better memory retention by learners in one particular task due to the expectation of having to teach others. But it’s still useful evidence that is supported by several educational theories and it helps to confirm the value of teachback. As they suggest (though apparently unaware that this is a widespread practice) pedagogies that make use of this phenomenon work well and are highly efficient.

Abstract:

The present research assessed the potential effects of expecting to teach on learning. In two experiments, participants studied passages either in preparation for a later test or in preparation for teaching the passage to another student who would then be tested. In reality, all participants were tested, and no one actually engaged in teaching. Participants expecting to teach produced more complete and better organized free recall of the passage (Experiment 1) and, in general, correctly answered more questions about the passage than did participants expecting a test (Experiment 1), particularly questions covering main points (Experiment 2), consistent with their having engaged in more effective learning strategies. Instilling an expectation to teach thus seems to be a simple, inexpensive intervention with the potential to increase learning efficiency at home and in the classroom.

Address of the bookmark: http://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13421-014-0416-z#page-1

A great collection of papers and even the odd full book by the late great Gordon Pask. His cybernetic theories of learning, especially in the form of conversation theory and the value of teachback in learning, have been very influential (notably through the work of Diane Laurillard) and deserve to be more so. His serialist/holist learning style theory is one of the few that I find even slightly compelling because it actually relates teaching to learning style though, like all the rest of the genre, it makes little sense apart from as a useful reminder that there are infinite different ways to teach the same thing. His systems views of learning are, on the other hand, unequivocally brilliant. Sometimes difficult reading, but the effort pays off.

Address of the bookmark: http://www.pangaro.com/pask-pdfs.html