Desirable Difficulty
Desirable difficulty is a learning-science principle formalized by Robert Bjork describing the counterintuitive finding that certain kinds of effort during learning — spacing retrieval, interleaving topics, retrieving from memory instead of re-reading — feel harder in the moment but produce stronger long-term memory than easier, fluent study. The principle is why practices that *feel* productive (re-reading, cramming) underperform practices that feel like struggle (retrieval, spaced review) on delayed tests.
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Related Terms
- Retrieval Practice
- Retrieval practice is the act of forcing the brain to actively recall information rather than passively re-reading or re-hearing it. The work of retrieval itself strengthens the underlying memory…
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- Spaced Repetition & Retrieval Practice
Spaced repetition and retrieval practice are the two evidence-based techniques for turning short-term exposure into durable memory. Spaced repetition revisits material at widening intervals.
- Spaced Repetition & Retrieval Practice
Spaced repetition and retrieval practice are the two evidence-based techniques for turning short-term exposure into durable memory. Spaced repetition revisits material at widening intervals.