Test-Enhanced Learning: A practical guide to improving academic outcomes for all students - Softcover

Still, Kristian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1785836587 ISBN 13: 9781785836589

Publisher: Crown House Publishing, 2023

Synopsis

Written by Kristian Still,Test-Enhanced Learning: A practical guide to improving academic outcomes for all studentsis an informative guidebook that explores the wealth of evidence behind and the benefits of test-enhanced learning, spaced retrieval practice and personalisation.

Detailing the most up to date research into improving learning and retention, it takes us on a journey into test-enhanced learning, spaced retrieval practice, motivation, metacognition and personalisation. In so doing, the book provides a blueprint for all teachers and schools to improve the academic outcomes of their students and to achieve this in ways that improve the motivation of learners and reduces the workload for teachers.

Kristian Still has been developing these ideas with his classes for many years and has achieved considerable success in terms of thedirect learning gains, and improved assessment grades of his pupils and the indirect gains instudentsgrowing confidence in lessons, with a wider group of pupils contributing to class and improved classroom behaviour. Consequently, students are finding greater comfort in class and experiencing less pressure or underpreparedness when a question is asked.

The book is supported by the freeRemembermoreapp which uses digital flashcards as an aid to deliver the learning gains of personalised, spaced retrieval practice, providing teachers with insights into the effectiveness of their own teaching. It also contains a number of practical case studies from teachers using these techniques and the app to produce great results in their schools.

Spaced retrieval practice is a highly effective but counter intuitive revision technique in that it involves forgetting and relearning knowledge.Test-Enhanced Learningprovides a blueprint for motivating students to adopt this technique in favour of seemingly easier but less effective techniques such as re-reading. Moreover, theRemembermoreapp does most of the convincing for you. It is a tool, not only to provide the flashcards for retrieval practice, but also to demonstrate the power of the technique to pupils.

The book goes a step beyond mere retrieval practice, offering a fresh approach to test-enhanced learning, both pretesting and post testing, supported by real, classroom-based routines that have been tried and tested by both Primary and Secondary teachers across a range of subjects. Exploring the research behind test-enhanced learning, it reveals that both pretesting and post testing (retrieval practice) offers improved memorisation and secures long-term learning.

Suitable for all teachers in all settings.

; An informative guidebook that explores the wealth of evidence behind and the benefits of test-enhanced learning, spaced retrieval practice and personalisation.;

Such a thoughtful look at an incredibly important topic of education. As a classroom teacher, I appreciate the deep dive into the research while also its accessibility to the classroom. Test-Enhanced Learning is a text all teachers, no matter their subject or level, can benefit from to improve instruction and learning in their classroom.

Blake Harvard

;

Kristian's writing is underpinned by a staggering amount of research which he has drawn from a rich variety of sources and skilfully synthesised into a coherent and compelling exposition of test-enhanced learning against the backdrop of human cognitive architecture. Test-Enhanced Learning is illuminating, informative, applicable and actionable for teachers in all aspects of their job. Terminology, theories and concepts are clarified with concise explanations and examples. Readability and utility are enhanced with key takeaways and a case study at the end of each chapter. The signposts to one seminal paper per subtopic testify to Kristian's consideration for the time-poor teacher striving to be evidence informed. Refreshingly balanced discussion throughout protect

About this title

About the Author

Kristian Still is a Deputy Head at Academic Boundary Oak School, an independent private school in Hampshire. He has over 20-years’ experience as a head teacher and senior leader with a MsEd in Kinesiology, BSc in Sports Science, and a Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring. Kristian shares a keen interest in education leadership, evidence informed practice and #edutech.

Edition details

• Publisher: Crown House Publishing
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1785836587
• ISBN 13: 9781785836589
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224