Interleaving
What is it?
When using Interleaving you switch between ideas during a study session. For example, if you were studying basic math, instead of practicing a lot of addition
Why is it Effective?
- Connections: studying ideas next to each other helps you to see what connects them. These connections can both help to clarify material and make stonger pathways for memory.
- Context: If you study the same things in the same order, you get used to that context for remembering them. If the test changes the order then context changes and it will be harder to remember. When you interleave you’re more ready to remember information in different contexts.
How to Use Interleaving Practice
- Switch between topics (ie addition, subtraction, division, fractions).
- Switch the order you study the topics. Don’t always switch betwee the same topics in the same order. Vary it up.
When to Use Interleaving Practice?
- Interleaving works best when moving between topics that are related to each other. So it’s good to switch between topics in a class, but not as effective if you quickly switch from class to class.
- This is easiest for information or concepts that you can write down on cards.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t go too fast. Although this is about switching it up, make sure you understand an idea before moving on to the next one.
- Put your study materials on flash cards and then make one pile and jumble them up each time yorustudy. There are apps that will help do this for you.
Resources
Downloads
- [pdf 1 page quick guide] Learn to Study Using Interleaving https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56acc1138a65e2a286012c54/t/57d06ad3f7e0ab4e5fecc63a/1473276627898/Interleaving.pdf
Videos
- [video 2:04] Study Strategies: Interleaving https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV64Bu6sec0&feature=youtu.be
Podcasts and Websites
- [website] The Learning Scientists: https://www.learningscientists.org/interleaving
- [podcast 27:04] The Learning Scientists: Interleaving https://www.learningscientists.org/learning-scientists-podcast/2017/12/6/episode-8-interleaving
- [podcast 8:16] Bite-sized Research on Interleaving Categories https://www.learningscientists.org/learning-scientists-podcast/2017/12/20/episode-9-bite-size-research-on-interleaving-categories
- [podcast 20:52] How Students Can Use Interleaving, Elaboration, Dual Coding, and Concrete Examples https://www.learningscientists.org/learning-scientists-podcast/2018/3/21/episode-15-how-students-can-use-interleaving-elaboration-dual-coding-and-concrete-examples