List of learning techniques

This page lists and classifies learning and teaching techniques.

Technique	Goal	Used by	Requirements	Notes
Board technique		Explainer	Classroom
Breaking the plane		Explainer	Classroom
Classroom speech technique		Explainer	Classroom
In-class desk work		Explainer	Classroom
Polling	Reducing illusion of transparency	Explainer	Classroom
Cold calling	Reducing illusion of transparency	Explainer	Classroom
Define then discuss		Explainer
Examples first		Explainer
Group calling		Explainer	Classroom
Multiple-choice question		Explainer
Questions or comments?		Explainer	Classroom
Cramming	Passing a test (knowing subject well in a high-stakes situation)	Learner
Spaced repetition/distributed practice	Long-term retention	Explainer, learner	Spaced repetition software
Blocked practice		Explainer, learner
Interleaving		Explainer, learner
Active recall	Retention (short-term or long-term)	Explainer, learner	Flashcards, interactive software, or some other device that reveals answers after a response	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	Notes or book that one is reviewing
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	Multiple sources; see Learning from multiple sources § Applicability
Guessing what comes next/proving theorems yourself		Learner
Building a subject from first-principles		Explainer
Elaborative interrogation
Self-explanation
Summarization
Highlighting/underlining
Keyword mnemonic
Imagery for text
Rereading

See also

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