Interleaving improves both long-term memory for formulas and exact answer correctness on criterial tests, with a smaller benefit for correctness¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · causal r2 · q3 · i1–i2
Currency · newest study 2021 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i2 Interleaving improved long-term memory (formula recall) in Stage 1 (d = 0.41) and Stage 2 (d = 0.96). → Joshua Samani and Steven C. Pan 2021 q3 i1 Interleaving improved correctness of answers in Stage 1 (d = 0.25) and Stage 2 (d = 0.40), a smaller benefit than for memory. → Joshua Samani and Steven C. Pan 2021 (2)

Evidence¶

Joshua Samani and Steven C. Pan 2021¶

Joshua Samani and Steven C. Pan. (2021). Interleaved practice enhances memory and problem-solving ability in undergraduate physics. npj Science of Learning. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-021-00110-x

q3 · i2 · causal · r2

Rubric-based sub-measure analysis of the same preregistered classroom experiment, where the memory category indicated whether a necessary equation was recalled and written down correctly. The article reports "d = 0.41" and "d = 0.96" for Stages 1 and 2.

"Sub-measure analyses revealed that interleaving improved long-term memory in Stage 1, d = 0.41, 95% CI [0.17, 0.66], t(288) = 3.49, p = 0.006, and in Stage 2, d = 0.96, 95% CI [0.70, 1.24], t(284) = 8.05, p < 0.0001."

Joshua Samani and Steven C. Pan 2021 (2)¶

Joshua Samani and Steven C. Pan. (2021). Interleaved practice enhances memory and problem-solving ability in undergraduate physics. npj Science of Learning. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-021-00110-x

q3 · i1 · causal · r2

Correctness sub-measure required the final numerical answer and unit to be exactly correct; the article notes the mean rate of correct answers across both conditions was no more than 0.34 proportion correct. Reported effects are "d = 0.25" and "d = 0.40".

"Further, interleaving improved the correctness of answers in Stage 1, d = 0.25, 95% CI [0.02, 0.48], t(288) = 2.17, p = 0.0311, and in Stage 2, d = 0.40, 95% CI [0.16, 0.64], t(284) = 3.32, p = 0.0010."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Long-Term Memory — outcome: instruction changes it

Related Claims¶

• Interleaved homework yields higher surprise criterial test scores than blocked homework in undergraduate physics, with larger effects in Stage 2 — related
• Interleaving benefits on criterial tests cannot be attributed to increased study time — related
• Interleaving benefits were not detected on high-stakes midterm exams taken after cramming — related