The power of retrieval - building memory into every lesson

One of the most consistent findings in educational research is that students don’t just learn by taking in information, they learn by pulling it back out. This is known as retrieval practice, and it is one of the simplest, most powerful tools teachers can use to strengthen memory and understanding.

Research by Roediger and Butler (2011) showed that testing is not just a way to measure learning, it is a way to improve learning. Every time a student recalls knowledge, they strengthen their ability to use it again in the future. In other words, retrieval practice turns forgetting into remembering.

The problem is, many teachers focus too heavily on input: we explain, we show, we model. But unless students regularly practise recalling that information, much of it is quickly lost.

Here are some practical ways to weave retrieval into everyday lessons:

• Low-Stakes Quizzes
  Start a lesson with three or four short questions from previous lessons. Keep them quick and stress-free.

• Brain Dumps
  Give students a blank piece of paper and two minutes to write down everything they remember about a topic, then compare with a partner.

• Flashcards and Self-Testing
  Simple and effective. Encourage students to make their own, or use digital tools.

• Interleaving Questions
  Mix in old content with new content. This not only strengthens recall but also shows students how ideas connect across topics.

• Mini Whiteboards
  Give each student a piece of paper. Pose a question, and have everyone write their answer before holding it up. This way every student retrieves, not just the confident ones, and you get instant feedback on the whole class.

When retrieval becomes routine, knowledge sticks for longer. Students gain confidence because they can actually see their learning grow. And teachers can quickly diagnose what needs revisiting before moving on.

Planuva makes it easy to embed retrieval practice into your programs, along with any type of other pedagogical practices. To register your interest, sign up at https://planuva.com