To keep things in your head, you’ve got to get them out.
Yes, you read that right. We learn not be simply having things poured into us, but by taking the ideas we are exposed to and expressing them in some form — writing, talking, reflecting, and even teaching.
If your training is information heavy, maybe even resembling a presentation where learners aren’t actively performing tasks, you’ve got to include retrieval practice.
Retrieval practice is a strategy in which bringing information to mind enhances and boosts learning. Deliberately recalling information forces us to pull our knowledge “out” and examine what we know.
POOJA K. AGARWAL, PH.D.
One of the easiest ways to include quick retrieval practice into any training, of any length, is to include the exercise, Two Things.
With Two Things, you simply ask your learners to recall two things that have been covered in class. We can use the recall of two things in a variety of ways, dependent upon your group, the space, and your time.
Here are seven ways to incorporate Two Things into your next class.
- Shout It Out
- Stand and Stretch
- Sit and Write
- Turn To Your Neighbor
- Text Me
- Round Robin
- Think About It
Now for the details of each.
Shout It Out
Ask learners to think of two things already covered in class. They can do this either while standing or sitting. Then ask them to shout out five ideas (or three or seven; whatever number works for the class size and length). It helps to hold your hand up and say, “who has idea #1?” Continue until you reach your number. The prodding with the number gets a much better response than asking a group to share their ideas.
Stand and Stretch
Ask learners to stand and stretch. As they stretch direct them to think about two things that have been covered in class. They can then either sit down, shout them out, or turn to a neighbor. Two minutes or less. Easy.
Sit And Write
Ask learners to stop, find a blank spot where they can write two things they can recall. You can also give them a page in their participant guide where they collect all of their two things through the duration of class. They can then share in small groups, shout them out, or simply write them without a next step.
Turn To Your Neighbor
Ask learners to think of two things then turn to a neighbor and share. Fast and easy.
Text Me
People BYOD (bring their own devices) to training and it has become more common for the devices to perch on the table top. Give them an opportunity to use them. Ask them to send you their two things. You can do that in a robust way with apps like UMU, Poll Everywhere, or CrowdSignal.
Round Robin
When your group is small and comfortable with each other, simply ask them to share their two things around the room or table. Ask them to keep them short and emphasize speed!
Think About It
Ask learners to think about two things. That’s it. Just think. Research supports that thinking can help keep things in our head! And that is our goal!
Source of Two Things: RetrievalPractice.org
