A Case for Making Learning Difficult: Long-term Application and Knowledge Transfer in Higher Education Life-science Disciplines

Dr. Todd is a candidate for the Assistant Professor in Life Sciences
Pedagogy position

Monday, June 27, 2022 at 1 PM

CSF-1999

Abstract

Fostering long-term application and transfer of knowledge is essential in academic programming. Without it, students move through programs not fully understanding how topics are connected, not carrying knowledge and skills forward into new courses, and they are unable to apply what they have learned in real-world contexts. While there is a wealth of knowledge around retention and learning, most research is focused on simple recall, and there is a sizeable gap with respect to Higher Education, and within life-science education. This research talk will discuss the impact of effortful practice, spacing and interleaving on long-term retention, including the potential for application in Higher Education life-sciences, and the challenges around motivating students to engage in these strategies. Research around metacognitive experience is also proposed as a mechanism in harnessing motivation, student self-efficacy, and student investment in these effective strategies that otherwise seem counterintuitive. While we often look for the next “thing” that will make life easier, cognitive research around learning tells us that easier does not equal better.