Harold E. Pashler

Most students and instructors tend to think of testing only as a method of evaluating students' performance. However, a growing body of research demonstrates that the process of actively recalling information (e.g., by answering fill-in-the-blank questions on a test) can facilitate learning more effectively than other kinds of review. Moreover, several recent studies have shown that strategic use of testing can help students remember information longer. In this project, the research team ...

In this study, the researchers proposed to explore how instructional procedures foster students' long-term retention of information and skills. The researchers aimed to focus particularly on factors that can be readily manipulated in almost every learning context, be it a classroom or a computer-aided instruction or distance-learning program.

In this study, researchers explored ways to extend basic research on memory beyond the laboratory setting. Their goal was to identify highly effective strategies that could optimize the use of study time and improve students' ability to retain information.