Secure learning outcomes

There are several strategies for effective learning. For example, see the Learning Scientists website (https://www.learningscientists.org) to find out more about

• spaced practice
• retrieval practice
• elaboration
• interleaving
• concrete examples
• dual coding

The Socrative platform, for example, offers a simple way of anchoring retrieval practice in the classroom.

You start by creating an account for yourself on the Socrative platform (https://b.socrative.com/login/teacher/):

Once you have logged into your account, you can easily create quizzes and launch them in a minute.

For example, you can ask a ‘QUICK QUESTION’ at the beginning of the lesson to check what has been learnt in a previous lesson and see the students’ answers in real time (formative assessment).

Here is an example of such a ‘QUICK QUESTION’ at the beginning of a lesson:

Question: In remote sensing, false colour images are created by assigning different electromagnetic bands to the red, green, and blue channels of an image. Which of the following statements about false colour images is true:

False colour images …
A) … display objects using their actual colors, but with exaggerated brightness.
B) … are produced by converting black and white images into color by randomly assigning hues to different features.
C) … can reveal information that is not visible to the human eye in true-color images.

To achieve a lasting effect on pupils’ learning, you need to regularly integrate quizzes into your lessons. And you need to give your pupils the opportunity to practise for the quizzes – for example with the help of flashcards (spaced practice) such as Anki (https://apps.ankiweb.net/).