Product reviews for Test-Enhanced Learning

This well-researched book draws together so many elements related to testing and retrieval in an informative and insightful manner. The extensive range of relevant research from which Kristian quotes contains numerous pearls of wisdom as well as phrases that capture the essence of the argument that he presents, including ‘the steady creep of improvement’, ‘the valley of disappointment’ and how ‘performance during learning is a poor predictor of future performance.’ Kristian pulls together much of the thinking related to cognitive science that is currently popular but does so with depth and understanding and, crucially, practical application.

As an advocate of this approach to teaching, Kristian makes the case coherently for the need for quizzing and low-stakes testing to secure the knowledge, build the schema and be able to apply the learning. He draws perceptive conclusions such as ‘teach less and plan to reteach’ and emphasises the need to explain to the students why he teaches like this and how it can help them.

The case studies are helpful in translating research into real-life classroom examples by teachers who are applying these principles. Kristian’s exploration of retrieval and testing avoids being bogged down in research but instead uses the findings as a basis for his evolving practice with vignettes about how his teaching evolved based upon test-enhanced learning. Again, this narrative makes the arguments more relatable. The book also questions many assumptions including a welcome consideration of the importance of motivation in retrieval practice that can be overlooked in the excitement around retrieval. There is also a recognition of where research has weaker claims, such as an observation that states there is a ‘general declining impact as learners get younger’. This shows not blind adoption of research by Kristian but instead a questioning approach to improvement.

The book also has useful end-of-chapter takeaways that summarise the key ideas shared as well as handy ‘If you only read one paper then read …’ suggestions.  A most welcome book for the teacher looking to deepen knowledge and improve their teaching based upon detailed research and written in an engaging and informative style.