Turning Difficult Lessons Into Deeper Learning

Though it sounds counterintuitive, it’s not necessarily a bad sign when students are straining to fully understand new materials—so long as they’re supplied with a healthy boost of deeper learning.

A large set of studies have found that brief quizzes administered right after a lesson can reduce the possibility of forgetting new material by up to 50 percent. And research shows that the process of struggling through short quizzes immediately after learning activates the neural circuits that support long-term retention and performance.

Simply reviewing notes can be far less effective, and takes more time, than testing. Reviewing gives a comforting sense of progress, while quizzes and self-tests might make students feel like they’re not doing well. Yet that feeling of uncertainty is precisely what drives learning and growth.

Just like exercise, learning sometimes benefits from a “no pain, no gain” approach. Here are four actionable strategies that K–12 teachers can use to help students build stronger metacognition, support learning retention, and meaningfully enhance achievement.

1. Build Long-Term Learning Stamina

Educators should incorporate two or three open-ended questions throughout lessons to engage students in active recall. Think of these as reps in the gym in order to build learning strength, as well as stamina. Here are some examples:

• What are the two types of conflict we just discussed?
• How do themes and topics differ?
• What are some ways heterotrophs function at different trophic levels?

Avoid multiple-choice questions and aim for short, open-ended prompts to encourage critical thinking and self-expression. Educators can also vary the types of questions within the same topic. Studies show that switching up the context of questions deepens learning.

For instance, if you’re teaching mitosis, try questions that cover definitions, stages, real-world applications, and comparisons with meiosis. In elementary math, students might practice multiplication by solving word problems, using visual arrays, and applying the standard algorithm. Mixing question types helps students develop a flexible understanding of concepts, so that the knowledge sticks for the long term.

2. Recognize the Power of False Confidence

Students often mistake familiarity with expertise. This can lead to overconfidence, which impedes real learning. Educators can help students develop the habit of checking their perception of understanding against reality. Although it may feel uncomfortable, low-stakes, formative assessments like pop quizzes are critical; students can see the difference between what they think they know and what they actually know.

Prior to and after quizzing, reinforce a simple mantra: “Learning is about minimizing forgetting. Testing what you know—even if it feels uncomfortable—is key to preventing forgetting. No matter your score, you’re growing.”

Reflection prompts like the following can encourage a growth mindset and reduce negative thoughts:

• What questions did I miss, and why are they important to remember?
• What did I get correct? What did I misunderstand?
• Regardless of the results, how can I stay positive about my learning process?

Encourage students to take a few deep breaths after each quiz and rest well, rather than overstudy. This mindful approach will enhance their resilience and mental clarity.

3. Note the Zones of Learning

You can also make it clear to students that open-ended questions, reflections, and quizzes are part of the learning process, not the evaluation process. Activities should be labeled as “performance” or “learning.” A test, for instance, is a performance task where minimizing errors matters. A quiz, on the other hand, is a learning activity where making mistakes is an expectation. When students understand that quizzes are designed to help them grow, they approach the work with a more open and less anxious mindset.

4. Practice Focus Exercises

When it’s time for students to move from quizzes to preparing for a big test, teachers can help them out in a variety of ways. Students should be encouraged to visualize their study setting, assess the timing during which studying will be stacked, and consider practices to ensure that studying is active, rather than passive.

Visualize the study environment: Encourage students to picture the ideal setting for studying. Ask them to think about where they can minimize distractions—places where they can “put blinders on” to limit interruptions. What steps will they take to block distractions for five-, 10-, or 15-minute intervals? What can they do to ensure that their environment is free of disruptions? Examples include removing themselves from distractions such as phones, TVs, friends, and snacks that are high in sugar.

Link study habits: Building study habits is often more effective when new behaviors are linked to existing ones. Guide students to identify times in their current daily routines when they can stack short study sessions between or alongside established activities they already do each day. For instance, they may usually go home after school, have a snack, and then watch TV. They could try stacking homework between eating a snack and watching TV.

Incorporate self-testing: Encourage students to identify three key points in their study sessions to pause, self-test, and check their understanding. Regular recall ensures that student studying is more active. To maximize the effects of studying, students should also study immediately after first learning material.

Reflect and share: Have students discuss what they’ve learned with a peer or family member. Sharing their understanding and teaching the material to someone else solidifies their grasp of the content and helps highlight areas where they may need further review.