I show my students the research regarding the importance of teaching information in order to retain that knowledge. In fact, if you study with the mindset that you’ll teach the data later–to a friend or a parent for example–your brain employs a powerful strategy to remember the facts. It remembers key points. It synthesizes data. It forms a presentation.
Learning to teach, not for testing, works better.
We teach what we most need to learn. We thrive as learners when we anticipate teaching. I believe this research (found in the journal of Memory & Cognition) helps me understand my own joy in reading scripture. I retain it best when I imagine who needs the encouragement I’ve read. I scan the whole day, in fact, for learning with an eye to teach it later in my blog.
Oh, the wonder of teaching in order to learn best!