Episode 13: How to study and learn more effectively

Can psychology help us to learn better?

Our presenter Christian Jarrett discovers the best evidence-backed strategies for learning, including the principle of spacing, the benefits of testing yourself and teaching others. He also hears about the perils of overconfidence and the lack of evidence for popular educational ideas like "learning styles" and "brain gym".

Our guests, in order of appearance, are: Nate Kornell, associate professor at Williams College; Paul Howard-Jones, author of Evolution of the Learning Brain (find out more) and professor of neuroscience and education at the University of Bristol; and Abby Knoll, doctoral student at Central Michigan University.

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Download the episode here.

Background reading for this episode:

• It feels as though we learn better via our preferred learning style, but we don't
• "Another nail in the coffin for learning styles" – students did not benefit from studying according to their supposed learning style
• The secret to remembering material long-term
• How to study
• Learning by teaching others is extremely effective – a new study tested a key reason why
• Physically active academic school lessons boost pupils' activity levels and focus
• Engaging lecturers can breed overconfidence
• 'The story of learning begins with the story of life'
• From brain scan to lesson plan

Episode credits:

Presented and produced by Christian Jarrett.

Mixing and editing Jeff Knowler.

PsychCrunch theme music Catherine Loveday and Jeff Knowler.

Art work Tim Grimshaw.