Practice Makes Perfect?

In How Learning Works, Ambrose et al talk about practice and feedback. Chapter 5 aims to answer the questions, what are the kinds of practice and feedback that are most productive? We know that they are both important, but how should they be implemented in learning settings? According to Ambrose et al, practice needs to be directed at a specific goal with targeted feedback. Feedback in this context not only means comments on how you did, but comments on how to perform on future practice.

The figure above illustrates the importance of having practice match the level of the learner, which is harder to do for novice and more experienced learners. The slower rate of performance for early and later learners is evident by the slower acceleration of the curves at those points. It is more difficult to find the appropriate level of performance for novice and expert learners. Using strategies like assessing for prior knowledge and activating prior knowledge can help direct and focus on the right level of practice and feedback.