MEPX
Chapter 7 of 10All chapters
  1. 1How memory works
  2. 2Working memory
  3. 3Retrieval practice
  4. 4Spacing and interleaving
  5. 5Sleep and consolidation
  6. 6Study myths
  7. 7Understanding and elaboration
  8. 8Learning skills
  9. 9Memory techniques
  10. 10Putting it together

Chapter 7 of 10

Understanding and elaboration

Beyond memorising.

Explain it

Explaining material in your own words, aloud or in writing, exposes exactly where understanding stops. That is the whole basis of teaching as a study method.

  • Asking why and how, rather than what, builds connections that aid recall.
  • Connecting new material to what you already know is the strongest form of encoding.

Worked examples

For a new skill, studying worked examples beats struggling unaided. Once the basics are in place, the balance shifts towards practice problems.