Books Books Books---- Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

So, I want to talk about this book.  I LOVE this book! I find myself thinking about it at random times and looking for patterns to support it.  Yep, I am hooked.  I was first introduced to it several years ago when a former coworker of mine did a faculty lecture on it.  At the time I was intrigued and thought it sounded interesting--but I didn't totally embrace it.  That came later. After I finally read it and then fell hopelessly, head-over-heels in love with the book. Like seriously...this book is the shit!

I tried to talk about it with my current coworkers but you somehow lose your credibility when you claim that every single chapter is your favorite! Like, last chapter was good, but this chapter is so spot on and is my absolute, unequivocal favorite---until the next one.  Sorry...not sorry!

So, why do I think it is so great? Thank you for asking!  I am happy to tell you! Let's do it top 10 style--what do you say? It's Tuesday...Top 10 Tuesday seems like a thing.  Right?

We will be dramatic and build up to number 1. You in?

10.  It is so relevant!  So relevant. I work in higher education so that seems like a given. But thats the obvious answer. The real answer is that it helps ME!  I mean come on...that's what it's about. For reals. It's about me. I am channeling my inner Toby here and saying I want to talk about me!  I LOVE the techniques in this book and how they turn all my previous knowledge about education on end. It challenges me to think about things in a new way, see it from a new perspective, and reconsider everything I think (thought) I know (knew).  For instance, one of my commitments to myself this year is to learn Spanish--fear not, I am not suddenly going to start writing in Spanish. Not yet anyway. At this point I am pretty limited to drinking water (yo bebo agua), eating apples (yo como manzana) and looking for my suitcase (donde esta mi maleta). You are good for now.  Back to the  book....So, I am learning Spanish. I am using a fun app--because that's the way we do things now-- and the app uses so many of the practices talked about in this book! It's all there: generation, recall, effort, interleaving, quizzing-- all of it! It's like the developers read the book! Do you think they did?  It makes me weirdly happy when I recognize the techniques and how they are being used.

9.  It's backed up by research and they share the research. Unlike a lot of writing--including my own--it's not just some random person spouting their ideas and trying to get you to buy into them AND perhaps buy their book. They share the research, give examples, and explain where the ideas come from. They give you all the whys and whatnot's you could possibly want. And I, like many, am the kind of person who wants them all! I need to understand the reasoning before I can support the message or idea.

8. They include a TON of stories to explain the concepts.  Who doesn't love a good story?  Especially a story within a story. They talk about interleaving  by exploring batting practice. They talk about different kinds of intelligences by exploring street children in third world countries and how they operate their businesses. You are intrigued aren't you? That's the point. They hook you in with the story and then reel you in with the data. Excuse me while I Geek Out here!

7. It introduces super cool phrases and ideas like interrupting forgetting.  Interrupting Forgetting! Such a powerful idea that helps debunk the myth of cramming in hopes of retaining. We don't retain what we cram. We just don't.   How many all night cram sessions did you have in school only to lose ALL the information the second the test was over?  If you are like me, a LOT!  And that's fine if all you want to do is get an A, but if you actually want to learn you have to allow time to forget a little--not too much-- so that you can go in and retrieve the information and strengthen the pathways! This is hard. I am not going to lie. As I work through my Spanish lessons I am trying to purposely build in time to forget. And I HATE it because I sort of feel like a failure when I try to retrieve it. But you know what? After I do that a couple of times, I've got it! It's there.  Pathways are strong!  FASCINATING STUFF! You still with me?

6. It warns against the familiarity trap (yep, another cool catch phrase). I love this idea! Yes, I love a lot. What can I say. I am easily hooked. I have actually used this exact phrasing with my students since reading this bit of information. Do you really know this information or is it possible that you have fallen into a familiarity trap because you have read this section, taken the practice test, or watched these videos (whatever the case is) X number of times? How can we change up your practices right now to see how much of this information you are retaining?  Good stuff, man.  Good stuff!

5. Systems of Learning! System 1 and System 2--forever linked in my brain as versions of Thing 1 and Think 2--which BTW, memory cues is another technique from this book. So, System 1 and System 2 are all hyped up and dancing around in my brain reminding me that we have to stop and step back from our immediate, unconscious reactions (system 1) and take the time to fully explore the situation, analyze the data, and make informed decisions (system 2).  This whole section was explained using a truly fascinating and somewhat terrifying story about pilots and how they have to override their own physical responses and learn to trust the planes instruments.  Interesting because it goes against our gut. Terrifying because I travel a lot and don't like to think about what's happening behind those cockpit doors!

4. Memory Cues and Mental Models. Throughout the book they really dig into how the brain works and have full on discussion about neuroplasticity and other brainiac stuff. But what I love most is the explanations on how to use that information. For instance, they talk about creating and using memory cues and memory models to help with retrieval They walk you through the process of creating these models. They share examples of creating memory palaces and coffee shops--although personally I might go for a wine bar--and finding memory cues that work to help you retrieve the information when you need it.. They share stories and interviews with  people who compete in memory competitions--yes, it's a thing.  Hearing how these people are applying these techniques is insane. The things they can do are almost superhuman. I will be honest and say I am not great at this part yet. Other than System 1 and System 2 I haven't quite built my memory wine bar... yet. But I am intrigued!

3. Embrace Difficulties and the Testing Effect.  Ahhhh. Thank you and shame on me.  I am linking these two ideas because this is how they resonate with me and I am the one writing this!  It's all about me, remember? We all get so obsessed about things being easy. Right?  As adult learners, we have a tendency to push back when things get hard. We don't want to be challenged. We have enough to juggle in our lives. We don't have the time, energy, or inclination to spend time on something that is difficult. We want things to come easy. Just give me what I need and let me move on. Anybody else with me on this or is it just me?  I fall into this trap as a learner. I definitely fell into this trap as a teacher--oh the shame! I was so concerned about the well being of my students that I didn't push them. I didn't challenge them. I didn't quiz them enough or sometimes at all. While I was coming from a place of compassion, I believe now that I failed them.  That is hard to accept. I appreciate the information though because I will not fail in that way again.   I feel like I need to track down all my former students and apologize.  Obviously, I can't actually do that--so I will just apologize here to the universe and hope it finds its way to them.

2. Unksilled and Unaware of it. WHAT? Somebody actually said it. They actually said it. Sometimes people just don't know what they don't know--- and sometimes there are known unknowns and then there are unknown unknowns (anybody with me?)--anyway. So, I love that this is addressed. Because sometimes you just wonder....what is happening right now? Am I in an alternate universe? Were we in the same meeting? Are there words coming out of my mouth?  You get the idea.  But if you don't know what skilled looks like, how do you know if you're unskilled? And once you become aware of it--how do you fix it? I know you want more details on this because it is mind-blowing and life changing, but it is also 12:16 a.m. and I need to wrap this up..because mornings come too early.  So go read the book!

1. And the number one reason I love this book.....PRACTICAL STEPS for applying it. Seriously an entire section on how learners, teachers, and trainers can apply the ideas to their unique situations! You don't have to speculate! You don't have to wonder how ypu are going to use this information. NO. No guesswork at all. They tell you flat out! If you are a trainer...try these techniques. If you are a student, do this!  It reminds me of Small Teaching. Another great book full of practical tips--a conversation for another day.

And on that note, let's have a bonus

Bonus: Growth Mindset! Gotta love a book that references another book. Who's read or studied Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset research? I know you might be inwardly or outwardly groaning right now and thinking "Growth Mindset is so overdone and I am sick of hearing about it! Leave me alone while I go hide in my wine bar!"   It's true. I know. It's totally been the "it" thing for awhile and has saturated the market. BUT that doesn't mean there isn't value to it.  I liked seeing it referenced in this book and was even inspired to go back and re-read it....someday.


Ahhh...It felt good to get all that out!  If you love to read as much as I do, I hope you are intrigued to go read this or some other fascinating book. And I hope you will share it with me!  Until then...I must sleep.

Good night!