Incorporating Retrieval Into Classroom Activities: Setting Good Habits

Abstract

Retrieval is a learning strategy in which the student attempts to recall concepts from memory without consulting course notes, a textbook or the internet. Classical studies of retrieval support retrieval as an effective study technique. However, when students have had previous success with storage techniques such as listening to videos, reading textbook, or re‐reading course notes, it is difficult to convince students to use evidence‐based techniques.Three instances of introducing retrieval to students in clinical physiology are presented. In all three cases, students heard about the classical experiments of Karpicke and Roediger. In addition, the instructor shared her own retrieval success. In the first instance, students were exposed to retrieval practice questions throughout class time activities, mainly power point lectures interspersed with active learning exercises. Students completed an anonymous survey about their attitudes about retrieval as part of their final exam. In the second instance, students in a systems physiology course were given retrieval exercises at the beginning of each of a series of 5 lectures on endocrine physiology. After student completed the exam on this material, students were invited to complete an online survey of their use of and attitudes toward retrieval. In the third instance, student in a clinical physiology course worked to answer a series of short answer questions without the benefit of any course resources. After 30 minutes of work, the instructor led a discussion of the activity in terms of retrieval and confidence.These three classroom experiences provide evidence that there is an association between positive attitudes towards and use of retrieval and exam performance. For example, in a sample of 200 physiology students, agreement with the statement I used retrieval methods as I studied for this exam, is significantly correlated with exam performance (r= 0.33, p < 0.00001). However, there was no significant correlation between agreement with the statement, I think retrieval is an effective study technique supported by evidence and exam performance. In addition, student comments indicate that students may require multiple opportunities to learn about and practice retrieval before they are ready to incorporate retrieval into their regular study habits.