FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

According to educational research, what was found to increase retention in students?

1. Lectures without interaction

2. Providing an outline and summary of lessons

3. Frequent testing

4. Group assignments

The correct answer is: Providing an outline and summary of lessons

The option that emphasizes providing an outline and summary of lessons captures a crucial strategy for enhancing student retention. When educators present structured outlines and comprehensive summaries, they help students organize and consolidate their learning. This practice facilitates clearer understanding and recall by allowing learners to connect new information with pre-existing knowledge, effectively creating a mental roadmap for the material. Furthermore, outlines and summaries serve as useful study aids, enabling students to review key concepts and organize their thoughts for better assimilation of the content. Research indicates that when learners have a framework to refer back to, it greatly aids in memory retention and comprehension, promoting an effective learning environment. While other options focus on different pedagogical approaches, the structured nature and recap benefit of outlines and summaries specifically cater to enhancing cognitive retention more directly, thereby making them an effective tool in educational research findings.