Researchers from SWPS University will investigate the efficacy of different learning and memorizing methods to improve the learning process in schools and in individual learning.
The project is financed by the National Science Center, project no. 2021/41/N/HS6/02493.
The goal of the project is to combine the traditional ‘desirable difficulties’ method, i.e., learning strategies which have already been well researched, with the more recent learning-by-guessing strategy and investigate whether – when combined – they would result in a memory boost or drop, compared to when people simply read the full information presented outright.
It is conceivable that strategies such as guessing or spacing could be introduced to the learning process by both teachers and students without much financial or operational costs. However, in order to recommend this approach, we need to investigate the boundary condition of these methods effectiveness, as well as theoretical mechanisms which underlie their benefits.
the researchers will conduct four experiments, which will systemically manipulate learning factors such as learning by guessing, spacing, and introducing additional aspects of a given topic. These more demanding, however potentially desirable manipulations, will be contrasted with ‘easier’ strategy choices such as learning by reading, learning in a massed fashion, without introducing intervals, and also learning only a single aspect of a given piece of information. Theory-based predictions concerning effectiveness of these combined manipulations are often bidirectional or unclear – which is precisely why they want to study them in such systematic, careful fashion.
Research team
Zawadzka, Katarzyna
Role in the Research Center
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Specialization
cognitive psychologist
First and last name
Katarzyna Zawadzka
Academic degree or title
Ph.D. / Associate Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University
Email
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Institute
Interdisciplinary Center for Applied Cognitive Studies (ICACS)
Role in the Department
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Ph.D. / Associate Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University Katarzyna Zawadzkacognitive psychologist
Practical application of results
The researchers hope to provide a novel set of learning guidelines for students and for teachers to make the learning process, perhaps not intuitively most appealing, but definitely more effective.