Retrieval Practice: Friend or Foe?

    When we think about learning, we typically focus on getting information into students’ heads. What if, instead, we focus on getting information out of students’ heads? Retrieval practice is a learning strategy where we focus on getting information out. Through the act of retrieval, or calling information to mind, our memory for that information is strengthened and forgetting is less likely to occur. Retrieval practice is a powerful strategy. I use retrieval practice a lot in my work as an HR Manager. There are certain situations that occur from time to time that aren't always present every day, such as progressive discipline and conflict resolution. When we retrieve what we know, the memory of that information stays relevant, and we can recall it at our point of need. 

    A critical aspect of the maintenance of knowledge is maintaining access to that knowledge in memory. The key to maintaining such access is to use that information. I think a lot about my high school math class as I retain new information. I haven't had to use what I learned in math class in my professional career, therefore, a lot of the information I was told I would be required to use, has become useless. This isn't helpful to me as I attempt to help my child with their math :). Thinking back to when I was young, retrieval practice wasn't well known, researched or taught. A lot of my retrieval practice as a professional has come from teaching others as I navigate through the complex world of HR. I am teaching other's how to navigate situations from my past experiences and therefore I believe this has helped me retain the knowledge I need in times of need.