6 Chapter 6 – Making Something Great

Beyond Cram and Spew: Cultivating Lasting Learning with Make It Stick and Grasp

The traditional “cram and spew” approach to learning might get you through an exam, but it doesn’t lead to lasting knowledge or the ability to apply what you’ve learned. Fortunately, books like Make It Stick by Brown, Roediger, and McDaniel and Grasp by Sanjay Sarma offer research-backed insights into how our brains work best for memory and learning.

Make It Stick dismantles common learning myths and proposes strategies that target the science of memory. Here are some key takeaways:

• The Testing Effect: Make It Stick emphasizes the power of retrieval practice. Simply re-reading material is less effective than actively trying to recall information. The book suggests techniques like self-testing with flashcards, practice quizzes, or explaining concepts to a peer. This retrieval effort strengthens the neural pathways associated with the information, leading to better long-term retention.
• Desirable Difficulties: Make It Stick argues that facing challenges during learning – like encountering spaced-out practice problems or grappling with a complex concept – is actually beneficial. These “desirable difficulties” force the brain to work harder to encode information, leading to stronger memory consolidation.
• Interleaving: The book recommends interleaving, which involves studying related but different topics rather than focusing on a single subject for extended periods. This helps create connections between concepts and strengthens overall understanding.

Grasp by Sanjay Sarma delves into the concept of spaced repetition. Our brains naturally forget information over time. Grasp emphasizes the importance of revisiting information at increasing intervals. For example, reviewing a concept you just learned a day later, then a week later, then a month later, strengthens the memory traces and helps you retain information for the long term.

Moving Beyond Cram and Spew:

By incorporating these research-backed strategies, you can move beyond the “cram and spew” model and cultivate a more permanent and robust understanding. Here are some actionable steps:

• Ditch the Passive Highlighting: Replace highlighting with active note-taking that involves summarizing key points, creating mind maps, or jotting down questions.
• Embrace Interleaving: Schedule your study sessions to cover related topics in an alternating fashion, rather than focusing on a single subject for long stretches.
• Test Yourself Frequently: Don’t rely solely on re-reading. Actively test yourself using flashcards, practice quizzes, or by explaining the concepts to someone else.
• Schedule Review Sessions: Plan spaced repetition sessions to revisit information at increasing intervals and solidify your understanding.

These techniques, informed by the insights from Make It Stick and Grasp, will help you transition from a passive learner to an active knowledge builder. This approach empowers you not only to succeed in your academic pursuits but also to retain knowledge and skills for lifelong learning.