The Learning Scientists Podcast

In this episode, we talk about the last strategy, dual coding. We talk about ways teachers and students can utilize dual coding, and distinguish this from learning styles.

This is a bite-size research episode, where we briefly describe research findings on a specific topic. This week, Megan Sumeracki talks about the need for providing multiple concrete examples to facilitate students' ability to transfer the underlying idea to new problems.

In this episode, we introduce Concrete Examples. Most teachers probably use concrete examples, but in this episode we talk about why it is important to use more than one!

This is a bite-size research episode, where we briefly describe research findings on a specific topic. This week, Yana Weinstein talks about interleaving while trying to learn to categorize, such as paintings by different painters or chemical categories such as alcohol. 

In this episode, we introduce the concept of interleaving. We explain when it works, why it works, and open questions.

In this bite-size research episode, Megan Sumeracki talks about a research study where 6th and 7th grade students used elaborative interrogation independently and with a partner. Elaborative interrogation improved learning compared to reading and students picking their own learning strategy. The effects were durable, and students who used elaborative interrogation still knew more than other groups 60 days later.

In this podcast, we discuss elaboration, specifically elaborative interrogation. We also talk about how teachers might implement elaborative interrogation in the classroom, and some things to watch out for when students are using this strategy.

In this bite-size research episode, Yana Weinstein talks about the learning benefits of combining spaced practice and retrieval practice. Assessment of both fact learning and application of knowledge is discussed.

In this podcast, we discuss what spaced practice is and how to utilize it to promote learning. We share some ways teachers can help students use spaced practice on their own, and ways for teachers to integrate spacing into their own teaching. Finally, we share some personal stories about spacing out learning or cramming before important events.

In this bite-size research episode, Megan Sumeracki discusses research comparing short-answer, multiple-choice, and hybrid quiz formats. She addresses the question, do some formats produce more learning than others?

In this podcast, we discuss what retrieval practice is and how it benefits learning. We also talk about ways to implement retrieval-based learning activities in the classroom and for independent studying.

In this episode, the two of us – Dr. Yana Weinstein (UMass Lowell) and Dr. Megan Sumeracki (formerly Megan Smith; Rhode Island College) – introduce ourselves and tell you a bit about our backgrounds, how we came to start the Learning Scientists project, and what we’ll be talking about on this podcast.