List of learning techniques

This page lists and classifies learning and teaching techniques.

Technique	Goal	Used by	Requirements	Notes
Board technique		Explainer
Breaking the plane		Explainer
Classroom speech technique		Explainer
In-class desk work		Explainer
Polling	Reducing illusion of transparency	Explainer
Cold calling	Reducing illusion of transparency	Explainer
Define then discuss		Explainer
Examples first		Explainer
Group calling		Explainer
Multiple-choice question		Explainer
Questions or comments?		Explainer
Cramming	Passing a test (knowing subject well in a high-stakes situation)	Learner
Spaced repetition	Long-term retention	Explainer, learner
Active recall	Retention (short-term or long-term)	Explainer, learner		Used by explainer in e.g. cold calling, but used by learner in e.g. flashcards
Passive recall	Retention (short-term or long-term)	Explainer, learner
Use of worked examples	Reduction of cognitive load	Explainer
Error-spotting exercise		Explainer
Note-taking	Retention/distillation	Learner
Explaining in one's own words		Learner
Learning from multiple sources	Finding better explanations, communication, learning contingencies, learning in more breadth and depth	Learner
Guessing what comes next/proving theorems yourself		Learner
Building a subject from first-principles		Explainer

See also

• List of learning strategies covers broader strategies to learn entire subjects