Spaced Learning

Using Neuroscience in the Classroom

Clara Nugent – Teacher of Biology, Aldenham School

What is Spaced Learning?

• TOTALLY breaks the rules! Rote, passive learning with little student interaction – Chalk and Talk at its VERY BEST!

• Short intensive bursts of lots of information – 15 slides in 5 minutes

• A ‘rest’ period – students to do something physical or creative during the break

• Repeat cycle a second time

• Repeat cycle a third time – this time students may ask questions, discuss, fill in gaps or make notes

Why Does Spaced Learning Work?

• Research published in frontiers of Human Neuroscience in 2013– Timed patterns of repeated stimuli (periods of ‘highly compressed

instruction’) followed by timed ‘distractor activities’– Learning shown to greatly increase in speed and responded particularly

significantly when coupled with distraction– When applied to university exam situations, results showed significantly

higher outcomes

• Research shows that repeated stimuli interspaced with periods without stimuli can lead to gene activation and the initiation of memory protein laydown that strengthens synaptic bonds or…

• IMPROVED MEMORY!

Spaced Learning at aldenham

• Pilot studies conducted with Year 8 Set 1, Year 10 Set 4 and Year 11 Double Set 1

• Significant evidence of retention under exam conditions demonstrated by specific questions

• Undertaking a study into Spaced Learning as a revision technique with Year 11 students over an 8 week period

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3782739/