"Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning" by Peter C. Brown

Question 1

What does “Make It Stick” suggest is more effective than re-reading material?

Answer 1

Active recall is more effective than simply re-reading material.

Question 2

What type of practice is recommended by “Make It Stick” for long-term retention?

Answer 2

Spaced repetition or distributed practice is recommended for long-term retention.

Question 3

According to “Make It Stick”, why is it beneficial to mix up your practice of different topics or types of problems (interleaved practice)?

Answer 3

It aids in discerning and understanding the underlying principles that differentiate the problems.

Question 4

What kind of illusions does “Make It Stick” caution against in the learning process?

Answer 4

The illusions of competence, like re-reading, cramming, or immediate repetition of new material.

Question 5

How does “Make It Stick” suggest you can better grasp and remember complex concepts?

Answer 5

By elaborating on the material, i.e., connecting new information to prior knowledge and finding analogies.

Question 6

What strategy does “Make It Stick” recommend for testing whether you’ve understood something?

Answer 6

Explain the concept or process to someone else in your own words.

Question 7

What is the reflection technique suggested by “Make It Stick”?

Answer 7

Pausing to review, summarize, and think about the implication of new knowledge.

Question 8

According to “Make It Stick”, why is retrieval practice important?

Answer 8

Retrieval strengthens the memory and interrupts forgetting.

Question 9

What does “Make It Stick” suggest about learning styles?

Answer 9

The idea of “learning styles” (auditory, visual learner, etc.) is largely discredited. Effective strategies are effective for everyone.

Question 10

How does “Make It Stick” recommend using flashcards effectively?

Answer 10

Write a concept/question on one side and the answer/explanation on the other. Practice recalling the answer.

Question 11

What is the “generation effect” discussed in “Make It Stick”?

Answer 11

The act of generating an answer or solution boosts memory and understanding.

Question 12

According to “Make It Stick”, why is it beneficial to struggle with problem-solving before being taught the solution?

Answer 12

The struggle prepares the brain for learning and makes the solution more memorable.

Question 13

How does “Make It Stick” suggest overcoming the forgetting curve?

Answer 13

With spaced repetition of the information.

Question 14

What does “Make It Stick” say about the effectiveness of cramming for exams?

Answer 14

Cramming may help for short-term recall but is ineffective for long-term retention.

Question 15

According to “Make It Stick”, how can we improve our ability to remember new knowledge?

Answer 15

By associating it with existing knowledge or personal experiences.

Question 16

How does “Make It Stick” suggest you handle mistakes in the learning process?

Answer 16

Recognize them as a valuable part of learning rather than a sign of failure.

Question 17

How does “Make It Stick” recommend handling the challenges of learning?

Answer 17

Embrace them. Difficulties and failures are essential parts of effective learning.

Question 18

What does “Make It Stick” say about the role of quizzes and tests in learning?

Answer 18

Quizzes and tests serve as useful tools for practicing recall, reinforcing memory, and guiding study strategies.

Question 19

According to “Make It Stick”, how can changing your environment enhance learning?

Answer 19

Different environments create varied retrieval cues, which can deepen and diversify your understanding.

Question 20

What does “Make It Stick” suggest about the value of sleep in learning?

Answer 20

Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation and learning.

Question 21

What’s the “rule of three” mentioned in “Make It Stick”?

Answer 21

After you read something, recall it three times with increasingly longer gaps between each recall.

Question 22

According to “Make It Stick”, why should learning be spaced out over time?

Answer 22

Spacing out learning helps to reinforce memory and facilitates better long-term recall.

Question 23

How does “Make It Stick” explain the concept of “desirable difficulties”?

Answer 23

It refers to practices that make learning feel harder but actually improve retention and understanding.

Question 24

What are the two types of memory systems identified in “Make It Stick”?

Answer 24

Semantic memory (for factual information) and episodic memory (for personal experiences).

Question 25

How does “Make It Stick” suggest enhancing learning from lectures?

Answer 25

Taking notes by hand, as it forces you to process and summarize the information.

Question 26

According to “Make It Stick”, what are the benefits of interleaved practice?

Answer 26

It helps learners to differentiate between concepts or types of problems and decide the appropriate strategy.

Question 27

What is the purpose of “mnemonic devices” as described in “Make It Stick”?

Answer 27

Mnemonic devices are tools that aid in memory recall.

Question 28

How does “Make It Stick” suggest one should approach teaching or tutoring others?

Answer 28

Emphasize understanding over memorization and encourage the use of active recall and self-quizzing.

Question 29

According to “Make It Stick”, how can you transfer knowledge to new contexts?

Answer 29

By practicing applying your knowledge in various settings, circumstances, and frameworks.

Question 30

What does “Make It Stick” suggest about the effectiveness of group study sessions?

Answer 30

They can be effective, especially when they involve discussion and explanation of concepts, but they should not replace individual study.

Question 31

What strategy can you apply from “Make It Stick” to your programming teaching on YouTube?

Answer 31

Start by posing a problem to solve, letting viewers grapple with it before you present the solution. This will make the solution more memorable.

Question 32

As a self-learner, how can you use the strategy of elaboration from “Make It Stick”?

Answer 32

When studying new material, try to relate it to what you already know or to your own experiences. Make this a routine part of your study sessions.

Question 33

How can you apply the idea of spaced repetition in your self-learning routine?

Answer 33

Rather than trying to learn a new concept in one session, break it up into smaller study sessions over several days or weeks.

Question 34

How can you apply the strategy of interleaved practice from “Make It Stick” in your teaching method?

Answer 34

In your tutorials, alternate between different programming topics or types of problems, rather than sticking to one topic per video.

Question 35

As a YouTube teacher, how can you utilize retrieval practice from “Make It Stick”?

Answer 35

Encourage viewers to pause the video and recall what they’ve just learned before moving on. Or end your videos with a quiz or review questions.

Question 36

How can you utilize reflection from “Make It Stick” in your self-learning routine?

Answer 36

At the end of each study session, take a few minutes to review and summarize what you’ve learned and how it fits into your broader understanding.

Question 37

How can you implement the “generation effect” from “Make It Stick” in your YouTube teaching?

Answer 37

Encourage viewers to attempt writing code or solving problems on their own before revealing the solution.

Question 38

What’s a practical way to overcome the forgetting curve in your self-learning according to “Make It Stick”?

Answer 38

Regularly revisit old material you’ve learned to keep it fresh in your memory. This could be as simple as reviewing notes or redoing problems.

Question 39

How can you apply the concept of “desirable difficulties” from “Make It Stick” in your teaching method?

Answer 39

Incorporate challenging exercises and problems in your tutorials, even if it makes the learning process feel harder initially.

Question 40

As a self-learner, how can you use the concept of varied environments from “Make It Stick”?

Answer 40

Try studying in different locations or at different times of day to create varied retrieval cues and enhance your learning.