Sometimes going back to basics may help students gain their footing before they unpack complex ideas, helping to strengthen what they’ve previously learned. The act of retrieving can actually facilitate deeper and more permanent learning, according to an article by Jeffrey Karpicke, a cognitive psychology professor at Purdue University, for the American Psychological Association.
Breaking down lessons into smaller tasks may also help educators identify areas where students are in need of additional support and can ensure all students get extra help if it’s needed, notes Carnegie Mellon University’s Eberly Center.
