Importance of Storage and Retrieval Strength
Impact on Transformational Learning
Transformational learning is the process of deep, constructive, and meaningful learning that goes beyond simple knowledge acquisition and supports critical ways in which learners consciously make meaning of their lives. - Springer Link
The Science of Learning
Motivated to Learn
For deep and lasting learning to occur, students must be self-motivated to learn.
To achieve this, learners need to be made aware of and helped to recognize the significance of what they're learning and how it will be valuable and relevant, both immediately and in the future.
Aware of how they learn
Also important is helping students understand the science behind learning. Students need to ‘learn about learning’, so to speak.
Key concepts regarding how students learn include understanding the relationships between retrieval strength and storage strength. This includes recognizing how forgetting can actually help students learn by requiring them to recall information that wasn't recently reviewed.
Performance vs. Long Term Learning
Appreciating these fundamental principles about student learning has reaffirmed our understanding that traditional academic testing methods are insufficient for achieving the transformative outcomes necessary for deep durable skills learning. Consistent metacognitive work in a real-world setting can deliver the lasting outcomes and opportunities for assessment that employers are eagerly seeking.
Understanding how their minds work, how learning works and how memory works.
Focus on Storage Strength
Veronica Yan, an Assistant Professor at the Science of Learning and Metacognition Lab within the University of Texas at Austin's Department of Educational Psychology, is a leading researcher on the differences and importance of retrieval and storage strength. According to Veronica, conducting an immediate review or testing of the main points learned shortly after a lesson primarily enhances retrieval strength. We encourage students to reflect on these key concepts as they encounter specific situations throughout the week. This approach aims to enhance storage for long-term learning while also encouraging metacognitive learning.
For this reason, we designed our MindSage durable skills program with at least a one-day gap between each section of a lesson to achieve the desired effect.
The MindSage Difference
When taught in the traditional academic approach, teachers typically introduce information regarding durable skills and assess students' retention or retrieval strength through tests or quizzes shortly thereafter. Even if students can define durable skills and provide examples of their real-life applications, they are likely relying on retrieval strength without making substantial changes to their attitudes, mindsets, or habits.
In the realm of durable skills development, relying on retrieval strength alone doesn't ensure that test performance accurately reflects practical real-world growth in students. For this reason our program employs peer review and assessments, similar to those used in high-performing companies, to evaluate durable skills development.
Metacognition, Slowing Forgetting Rate.
Through our training, participants gain awareness of their thought processes, emotions, and reactions in various situations. This awareness fosters the repeated recollection of what they've learned, enhancing both storage and retrieval strength and improving the depth of concept acquisition. Moreover, teaching students to employ metacognition in their daily lives naturally helps them remember information regularly, reducing the rate at which they forget.
Each act of retrieval becomes a potent learning event that strengthens the connection to what they've recalled.
DIG DEEPER:
Professor Yan’s lectures can be viewed here.
FLEXIBLE AND DURABLE
Durable skills are those that remain applicable across various situations throughout an individual's lifetime, readily retrievable, deeply learned, and, in cases of transformational learning, result in enduring changes in their qualities, mindsets, traits, habits, and attitudes.
We present related durable skills concepts in an interleaved, interconnected manner because the world is interleaved.
Interleaving each durable skill lesson type (deep dive, refactoring, and practical) introduces related concepts that maintain a certain level of ‘desirable difficulty’ of learning. Interleaving these related concepts which have different purposes and applications, promotes long-term learning and transformation.
Does Long-term Learning Occur? : A Simple Survey
In October 2023, we sent emails to 50 participants who have taken our program during the past three years. We were aware that some of the email addresses linked to participants' high schools or colleges might no longer be valid. As expected, most of the responses we received were from this year, 2023. In total, we received 29 responses.
Our survey included three simple questions, two of which used a Likert Scale. All of the questions allowed for the participants to comment and provide explanations.
QUESTION
ONE
Do you remember the MindSage soft skills internship/workshop? What do you remember most about the experience?
A: “The most significant aspect of the MindSage soft skills internship/workshop for me was the transformative experience of learning how to come out of my shell. It allowed me to break through personal barriers and become more confident and expressive in both my personal and professional interactions. This newfound ability has had a lasting positive impact on my communication skills and overall self-confidence.” -Valerie, Summer 2021
“I mainly remember the people that left an imprint on me and the experiences we had together in that small time. The soft skills I learned through Todd soon became an extension of how much I can contribute in a group environment and a realization of dormant talent each and everyone of us had.” -Raj, Summer 2023
A: “Yes I remember my MindSage Internship experience. The most I learned from this experience was teamwork and the importance of communication. We worked in our teams most of the time, and also were assigned with other people in the group, so I had the chance to meet and work with new people. I learned that communication plays a significant role in a safe and welcoming workplace environment.” -Elaine, Summer 2023
A: “I do remember the workshop. The part of the experience that sticks with me the most is the communication and roles training. In my everyday life, I am constantly seeing new examples of this, and applying what I know in order to better understand various situations.”-Perry, Spring 2023
A: “Yes, I remember the different lessons we learned such as states of communication and what the achieve success loop is. Throughout the internship, I learned how to utilize such skills and lessons in group projects and in teams which is something I continue to incorporate.” -Tara, Summer 2021
QUESTION
TWO
I acquired new insights into communication, life goals, emotional intelligence, and other durable soft skills during the internship workshop. Likert Scale (1-5, 5 being Strongly agree) and Explanation.
A: “I remember our meetings where we'd talk about what we learned from the MindSage lessons. Emotional intelligence was one of the first things we learned and it helped me gain insight on what other people might be feeling and how it affects the way they act. Therefore, I would adjust my actions to their feelings.” -Jimmy, Summer 2023
“The first day of training was about levels of tolerance and that has stuck to me to this day. I've gained insights on how to communicate more effectively and become a better listener. I'm aware that emotional intelligence is strongly connected to relationships.” -Emily, Summer 2022
A: “I got valuable insights into the communication and emotional intelligence. Before the internship I believed that only the hard skills mattered the most and soft skills were just a small part of personal development. However the internship changed my view on this and since then I started focusing on the soft skills as much as the hard skills.” -Harsh, Summer 2021
A: “I then realized that my emotional intelligence and soft skills are more important than my education in many aspects. If I have a bland personality and just have a degree to show for, I won't get hired during the interview process. You have to be a well rounded outgoing individual, it's not about what grades you got in school. Employers don't care about that.”-Zoe, Summer 2020
A: “As part of a research team exploring how generative artificial intelligence can be used to help people with ADHD, we recently had to submit an abstract to a research conference. To achieve this goal, I utilized effective communication through considering others' flexibilities and also encouraging them to do their best in completing our goal together.” -Adhvaith, Summer 2021
For this questions a Likert Scale was used , where 1 indicates Strongly disagree and 5 indicates Strongly agree.
The survey participants were also asked to explain their choice. Some comments are mentioned above.
QUESTION
THREE
I continue to apply the MindSage program strategies/knowledge today.
Likert Scale (1-5, 5 being Strongly agree) and Explanation.
A: “I have recently worked for Amazon and this first internship experience made me feel much more able to work with other interns and communicate with my team members and mentors and managers.” -Angie, Summer 2021
“MindSage has helped me in so many ways--from being emotionally aware of others' feelings to increasing self-esteem--that I am using even today at the workplace, school, and home. It's been extremely crucial and I am thankful for those opportunities.” -Adhvaith, Summer 2021
A: “There are multiple chances for me to use the sills I learned in school and at home. For example, when I work with other executives for a club, I will say that I can get this specific task done within 3-4 days, which is something I learned from this experience. Giving others a time range in which I can turn in the work can help us function better as a club, and help make planning for future events more efficient.”-Elaine, Summer 2023
A: “The MindSage program has left an enduring mark on my personal and professional growth. The strategies and knowledge I acquired while with the program remain integral to my daily life. Mindfulness and self-awareness, in particular, have become cornerstones of my routine. I regularly practice mindfulness techniques to manage stress, maintain focus, and strike a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, the program's emphasis on effective communication and emotional intelligence has significantly improved my personal and professional relationships. I continue to seek opportunities for self-improvement and lifelong learning, thanks to the invaluable lessons I gained from MindSage. The program's influence continues to shape my journey toward personal and professional development.” -Sankia, Summer 2020
For this questions a Likert Scale was used , where 1 indicates Strongly disagree and 5 indicates Strongly agree.
The survey participants were also asked to explain their choice. Some comments are mentioned above.