Interleaving
Interleaving is a process where students mix, or interleave, multiple subjects or topics while they study in order to improve their learning. Now, some students may do this naturally, but doing it intentionally can be very helpful! Interleaving can lead to better long-term retention and improved ability to transfer learned knowledge, due to retrieval practice. This strategy forces the brain to continually retrieve because each practice attempt is different from the last - which means your brain may be working harder, but it is more beneficial in the long run!
|
What to do:
- Choose several topics and spread them out throughout your study session, so you are not spending too long on any one subject.
- Important note: These different topics can be for the same subject (i.e. focusing on different concepts learned in chemistry). However, if you are choosing multiple subjects in one study session, it is best to try and make sure the topics are connected somehow (i.e. studying both science and math together).
- Make sure that before switching to a different subject, you have successfully "accomplished" something with the subject you are currently working with. This can be something like using a formula to correctly solve a problem. You want to avoid switching subjects simply because it is too difficult - that is counterproductive to the method.
- When you cycle back through the topics, switch up your methods, so you are continually using retrieval, and creating a new way for your brain to interact with the information. This could mean possibly studying the topics in a different order, or using different study strategies/tools.
|
 |
| Interleaving Learning (Brain Hack) |
|