Last Day, Last Week, Even Longer
With the technique Last Day, Last Week, Even Longer, retrieval practice activities are used to get students to think about content from the previous lesson, a week ago, and longer ago than this (for example, one or two months ago). The technique can be used in Daily Review, Weekly Review or Monthly Review.
Why use this technique?
Learning benefits
The technique harnesses the learning benefits of two cognitive principles:
The testing effect - retrieval strengthens memory.
The forgetting effect (aka the spacing effect) - a little forgetting is good for learning.
Teaching benefits
As well as benefitting students’ learning, by producing useful formative information for teachers, this technique can also benefit teaching. Evidence about what has actually been understood and learned (and not) can be used to guide teachers’ decisions regarding the focus of future input.
Focused reflection
How well do you currently use this technique?
Is it a technique you will focus on developing?
If so, what are the key features you will focus on (things to do, and not do)?