Interleaving Study Method: A Guide for Students

Have you ever felt like you're spending hours revising for exams but not seeing the results you want? The problem might not be how much you're studying, but how you're studying. Enter the interleaving study method - a powerful learning technique that could revolutionise the way you approach your studies.

What is the interleaving study method?

The interleaving study method is a learning strategy where you mix, or interleave, multiple subjects or topics while you study. This is in contrast to the more common blocked practice, where you study one topic thoroughly before moving on to another.

For example, instead of solving 20 algebra problems in a row, then 20 geometry problems, and finally 20 statistics problems, an interleaved approach would mix these different types of maths problems throughout a study session.

Blocked practice involves focusing on one type of problem or concept for an extended period before moving on to the next. While this approach can lead to rapid short-term improvements, it often results in poorer long-term retention and difficulty in applying knowledge to new situations.

Interleaving, on the other hand, may feel more challenging in the moment, but leads to better long-term learning outcomes. As Rohrer, Dedrick, and Burgess (2014) found in their classroom-based study: "interleaved practice nearly doubled scores on a test given one day later" (p. 1323).

The science behind interleaving

The effectiveness of the interleaving study method is backed by robust scientific research. One of the pioneering studies in this field was conducted by Kornell and Bjork in 2008. They found that interleaving different artists' paintings led to better recognition of the artists' styles compared to studying each artist's work in blocks.

As Kornell and Bjork (2008) noted: "Interleaving exemplars of different categories can enhance inductive learning" (p. 585). This means that by mixing up examples from different categories, you can better learn to distinguish between them and understand the underlying concepts.

You may think that the benefits of interleaving are limited by your memory capacity. However, research suggests that interleaving can be beneficial across a range of memory capacities.

In fact, interleaving might be especially helpful for those with lower working memory capacity, as it provides multiple opportunities to revisit and reinforce learning. The spaced nature of interleaved practice allows for consolidation of information in long-term memory, reducing the load on working memory.

Key takeaways

• Interleaving involves mixing different topics or types of problems during study sessions

• It contrasts with blocked practice, which focuses on one topic at a time

• Interleaving has been shown to improve long-term retention and transfer of learning

• While it may feel more challenging initially, interleaving often leads to better performance on tests and in real-world applications

• The effectiveness of interleaving is backed by robust scientific research

Why does interleaving work?

Factors that contribute to the effectiveness of interleaving

1. Improved Discrimination: By studying different topics side by side, you become better at distinguishing between similar concepts or problem types. This is particularly useful in subjects like maths, where different types of problems may require different solution strategies.

2. Spaced Practice: Interleaving naturally incorporates spaced practice, another effective learning technique. By returning to topics multiple times over a study session, you reinforce your learning and combat forgetting.

3. Desirable Difficulty: Interleaving makes studying feel more challenging, which can actually be beneficial. This "desirable difficulty" engages you more deeply with the material, leading to stronger memory formation.

4. Contextual Interference: Switching between topics creates interference, which might seem counterproductive. However, this interference actually helps strengthen memory and improve long-term retention.

Applying interleaving to different subjects

While much of the research on interleaving has focused on maths and science, this study method can be applied to a wide range of subjects:

Maths

Interleave different types of problems (e.g., algebra, geometry, statistics) within a study session. This helps you learn to identify which solution strategy to use for each problem type.

Science

Mix questions from different units or topics. For example, in biology, alternate between questions on cell biology, genetics, and ecology.

Economics

During your study time, interleave revision topics that switch between microeconomics and macroeconomics. Look for similarities and differences between the two sections as you study, and identify which areas overlap and which ones are distinct.

Languages

When learning vocabulary, interleave words from different categories or grammatical structures instead of focusing on one list at a time.

History

Practice recalling events from different time periods or geographical regions in an interleaved manner, rather than studying one era or region at a time.

Literature

Mix questions about different books, authors, or literary devices throughout your revision.

Overcoming challenges with interleaving

While interleaving is a powerful study technique, it's not without its challenges:

1. Initial Difficulty: Interleaving can feel more difficult and less productive at first. You may feel like they're not making progress as quickly as with blocked practice.

2. Planning Required: Effective interleaving requires more planning than simply working through a textbook chapter by chapter.

3. Resistance to Change: You may resist changing from familiar blocked practice to interleaving.

To overcome these challenges:

• Start small: Begin by interleaving just two topics, then gradually increase complexity

• Be patient: Remember that the benefits of interleaving often become apparent over time, especially on delayed tests

• Plan ahead: Create a study schedule that incorporates interleaving across different subjects and topics

• Explain the benefits: Understanding why interleaving works can help motivate you to persist with this technique

Creating an interleaved study schedule

To create an effective interleaved study schedule:

1. Identify the main topics or problem types you need to study for each subject.

2. Break these topics down into smaller subtopics or specific types of questions.

3. Create a study schedule that mixes these subtopics both within and across subjects.

4. Ensure that you're returning to each topic multiple times, with increasing intervals between reviews.

5. Include regular self-testing to reinforce learning and identify areas that need more focus.

Remember, the goal is not to study everything about one topic before moving on, but to create connections between different topics and strengthen your ability to recall and apply information in various contexts.

Interleaving and other learning techniques

Interleaving works well in combination with other effective learning techniques:

• Retrieval Practice: Regularly test yourself on interleaved topics to reinforce learning
  

• Elaboration: Explain concepts in your own words and connect them to other ideas as you move between topics
  

• Concrete Examples: Use specific examples to illustrate abstract concepts across different subjects
  

• Dual Coding: Combine verbal and visual information in your interleaved study sessions

Interleaving in the classroom

While much of this article has focused on individual study, interleaving can also be effectively implemented in classroom settings. Teachers can:

• Design homework assignments that include questions from multiple units or topics

• Create review sessions that jump between different concepts rather than focusing on one at a time

• Use warm-up exercises at the beginning of class to review material from previous lessons alongside current topics

As Rohrer et al. (2014) noted, "interleaved practice requires that students choose an appropriate strategy for each problem and not only execute the strategy" (p. 1324). This additional cognitive demand can lead to more robust learning.

Tools and techniques

To effectively implement the interleaving study method, you can utilise various tools and techniques. 

1. Mixed-topic flashcards: Create physical flashcards covering various subjects or topics within a subject. Shuffle them before each study session to ensure a mixed review.

2. Interleaved study planner: Design a study schedule that alternates between different subjects or topics. For example, you might study Topic 1 in business for 20 minutes, then switch to Topic 2 for 20 minutes, followed by Topic 3 for 20 minutes.

3. Multi-subject study groups: Form a study group with classmates who are studying different subjects. Take turns teaching each other about your respective topics, naturally interleaving the content.

4. Question roulette: Write questions from different subjects on small pieces of paper. Put them in a bowl and randomly draw questions to answer during your study session.

5. Subject rotation stations: Set up different 'stations' in your study area, each dedicated to a different subject. Rotate between these stations every 15-20 minutes during your study session.

By incorporating these tools and techniques into your study routine, you can effectively implement the interleaving study method and enhance your learning experience.

How Save My Exams can help

Save My Exams offers high-quality, affordable revision resources for GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, and IB students. Our materials are designed to facilitate effective learning, including interleaved practice:

• Comprehensive revision notes

• Topic-specific quizzes

• Past paper questions with detailed solutions

• Videos

• Interactive flashcards

These resources cover a wide range of subjects, allowing you to easily implement interleaving across your studies.

Getting started

To begin implementing the interleaving study method with Save My Exams:

1. Create a free account.

2. Explore our subject-specific revision resources.

3. Use our clearly laid out revision notes to create an interleaved schedule.

4. Utilise our topic questions and flashcards for interleaved practice.

Conclusion

The interleaving study method is a powerful tool for enhancing learning across a wide range of subjects and skill levels. By mixing up your study topics and problem types, you can improve your ability to discriminate between similar concepts, retain information for longer, and apply your knowledge in new contexts.

While it may feel more challenging than traditional blocked practice, the long-term benefits of interleaving are well-supported by scientific research. As you incorporate this technique into your study routine, remember that the initial difficulty is a sign of effective learning taking place.

So, the next time you sit down to revise, try mixing things up. Interleave your practice, embrace the challenge, and watch your learning soar. Your future self, confidently tackling exams and applying knowledge in real-world situations, will thank you for it.

FAQs

1. What is the interleaving study method? The interleaving study method involves mixing different topics or subjects during a study session, rather than focusing on one topic at a time. This approach can enhance learning and retention by promoting active recall and improving the ability to distinguish between similar concepts.

2. How is interleaving different from blocked practice? Interleaving involves studying different topics or problems in a mixed order, while blocked practice focuses on one topic or problem type at a time before moving on to the next. Interleaving typically leads to better long-term retention and transfer of knowledge.

3. Does interleaving work for all subjects? While interleaving has been shown to be effective across various subjects, it may be particularly beneficial for subjects that require problem-solving skills or the application of different rules, such as economics, mathematics and science.

4. How often should I incorporate interleaving into my study routine? It's best to gradually introduce interleaving into your study routine. Start by interleaving two related topics, then gradually increase the number of topics and the frequency of interleaved sessions as you become more comfortable with the method.

5. Can interleaving be combined with other study techniques? Yes, interleaving can be effectively combined with other evidence-based learning techniques such as spaced repetition, retrieval practice, and elaborative rehearsal.

6. Is interleaving suitable for all learners? While interleaving can benefit most learners, you may find it challenging at first. It's important to persevere, as the initial difficulty often leads to better long-term learning outcomes.

7. How does interleaving affect test performance? Research suggests that interleaving can improve performance on delayed tests and promote better transfer of knowledge to new situations. However, it may initially feel more difficult than blocked practice.

8. Can interleaving be used for exam revision? Yes, interleaving is an excellent technique for exam revision. It can help you review multiple topics efficiently and improve your ability to recall information across different subjects.

9. Are there any downsides to interleaving? The main downside is that interleaving may feel more challenging and less productive in the short term. However, this initial difficulty often leads to better long-term learning and retention.

10. How can I create an effective interleaved study schedule? Start by identifying the topics you need to study. Then, create a schedule that alternates between these topics, ensuring you don't spend too long on any one subject or topic.

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