The Power of Retrieval Practice Testing Group Discussions

Do group discussions really enhance learning?

Test-enhanced learning (retrieval practice) outperforms group discussions, especially for students who enjoy thinking deeply.

This research focuses on the factors likely to influence individual learning outcomes from group discussions. Published in 2016, Group discussions and test-enhanced learning: individual learning outcomes and personality characteristics (Stenlund et al., 2016) suggests that test-enhanced learning might be more beneficial for retention and understanding than group discussions.

Group discussions are often seen as an effective learning method,