Phase 1: Prepare
Step 1 Warm-up recall
From Module 7: how do you work out hours per session?
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Step 2 Learning goal
By the end of this lesson you can:
- state a clear question (Foundation);
- keep time and difficulty fair (Core);
- write the test before studying (Core).
Phase 2: Teach
Step 3 A familiar example
A cook who changes the oven, the flour and the recipe at once cannot say which change improved the cake. A fair test changes one thing.
Step 4 Clear explanation
In Module 6 you learned to question claims. Now you test one on yourself. Start with one question, such as: does retrieval practice beat rereading for me? Then plan the test.
| Design choice | Plan (invented) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Question | Does retrieval practice beat rereading for me? | One clear question |
| Methods | Retrieval on topic A, rereading on topic B | One change only |
| Time | 3 sessions of 30 minutes each, so 90 minutes per topic | Equal effort |
| Test | 10 questions per topic, written in advance, one week later | Fair and delayed |
The plan gives each topic the same time: 3 x 30 = 90 minutes. Write the 10 test questions before you start, so you do not choose easy ones after seeing the results, and test a week later, since a quick test would favour cramming (Module 4). Choose two topics of similar difficulty. If one topic is harder or you knew more about it already, it will distort the result, and you can reduce this by swapping which method goes with which topic in a second round.
This is a test on one person, so it shows what works for you, not for everyone. It cannot be blind: you know which method you are using. Keep the question modest and the plan short. See retrieval practice for the method being tested here.
Step 5 Worked example (4 marks)
You plan 4 sessions of 25 minutes for each of two topics, with 8 test questions per topic. How many minutes per topic, and how many questions in all?
- Minutes per topic: 4 x 25 = 100. (1 mark)
- Questions per topic: 8. (1 mark)
- Questions in all: 2 x 8 = 16. (1 mark)
- Answer: 100 minutes per topic and 16 questions in all. (1 mark)
Phase 3: Practise
Step 6 Learner practice (instant-marked)
1. A fair self-test changes:
So you know the cause.
2. Test questions should be written:
Avoid choosing easy ones.
3. 3 sessions of 30 minutes is how many minutes?
3 x 30.
4. The test should be delayed because:
We want lasting learning.
Phase 4: Close
Step 7 Recap
- Ask one clear question and change one thing.
- Keep time equal and write the test first.
- Test later and swap topics if you can.
Step 8 Exit ticket (ungraded)
2 topics, 3 sessions of 20 minutes each: minutes per topic?
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Step 9 Go further (Extension)
Write your own self-test question and design for your next course.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Giving one method more time | Keep time equal. |
| Writing the test afterwards | Write it first. |
| Using topics of different difficulty | Match them or swap. |
Limits. A self-test involves one person, cannot be blind and uses short tests, so it gives a hint, not a proof.