This is an informative book for all teachers interested in how test-enhanced learning can benefit their teaching and improve students’ academic outcomes. Using contemporary research and theory throughout, Still investigates the purposes and potentials of test- enhanced learning and spaced retrieval practice.
The ideas discussed have been developed over many years in the classroom, therefore Still offers us a realistic view of what is possible and how test-enhanced learning can benefit the teacher as well as the student. Alongside his own experience and knowledge, Still has done extensive research into the subject, making this a rich and interesting read.
Readers of the book can find further support on the associated, free Remembermore app, which utilises digital flashcards to help teachers deliver personalised spaced retrieval practice. The book is full of case studies which explain how to practically implement Still’s techniques, how to get the most from the app, and how to motivate students.
Supporting both primary and secondary teachers across the curriculum, this is a well- researched, comprehensive book that will be invaluable to teachers looking to deepen their pedagogical knowledge and improve their teaching.
This book is available directly from Crown House Publishing here
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 the direct learning gains, and improved assessment grades of his pupils and the indirect gains in students growing 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 free Remembermore app 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 Learning provides a blueprint for motivating students to adopt this technique in favour of seemingly easier but less effective techniques such as re-reading. Moreover, the Remembermore app 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.
Kristian Still introduces Test-Enhanced Learning here
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.
