As a teacher, you probably spend little time in your course on how your students can learn best. You assume that they can already do so because they have obtained a VWO or HBO degree. But research shows otherwise: students often don't know how to learn because their intelligence previously allowed them to get by on their own, or because the pace and demands were slower than at university. Also, learning to learn, is often not taught at previous education. As a result, many students still struggle to learn at university. In particular, knowledge of effective learning strategies appears to be one of the most important factors in how well they do and the grades they get. But they often do not have this knowledge or learning strategies automatically. Therefore, it is important to actively pay attention to it.
A simple manual can help
Giving an entire training (for example, based on KBCP theory) takes a lot of time, of course. That is why researcher Andreas Jemstedt (Jemstedt, 2023) from Stockholm University wondered whether a simple two-page manual could also help. And his research shows that this does indeed make a difference. Students in his study who were given a manual on learning strategies were more likely to pass tests (10-20%-points) and achieved higher grades (16-24%-points) for three consecutive courses - compared to students who were not given one.
How does the manual work?
The two-page manual used in the study contains three simple methods that support better learning:
- Deep processing of the material. Students remember new information better when they do more than passively reading it, by going deeper into the material or giving their own meaning to it. For example, coming up with their own questions while reading, writing them down and then trying to answer them themselves.
- Practice recall. New information sticks better if the student tests themselves on the information, instead of, for example, reading it a second time passively. This self-testing can be done, for example, with self-created questions made while reading, questions from the book, or old exams.
- Spread the learning material over several short learning sessions. Students remember the learning material better when they spread it over several short learning sessions, rather than repeating a lot in the same long learning session.
The prerequisite for these three learning strategies, which is also explicit in the manual, is that the student plans well so that there is time and space for their application. Enough time is needed to read everything, enough time to self-test, and enough time for multiple learning sessions. Important points to consider here are: using a calendar for planning, planning group assignments well, and keeping in mind how many hours per day are demanded in the course.
How to apply this?
The research showed that you can improve self-regulated learning and learning outcomes with a simple manual on effective learning techniques. And that's actually quite surprising because, for example, KBCP theory indicates that not only knowledge about techniques is needed, but also the belief among students that learning techniques help and that students really commit to them.
But this new research shows that a short, clearly written manual also has a positive effect all by itself. Very useful to know if you as a program or teacher would like to improve the success rate.
Keep in mind, of course, that there are no magical solutions in education. This is just one study with obvious limitations. At the same time, it is a simple intervention that takes little effort or time to try out in your own course. So, take advantage of it, or feel free to enlist our help for support in doing so. Would you like to request a SoTL-scholarship to try to replicate the study?
Want to offer more support to your students? Refer them to VU Amsterdam Trainings or The Department Student Development.