Using Brain Dumps to Improve Recall

Lately, I have been using brain dumps in class as a learning strategy.  This tool (as explained at Retrieval Practice) is a simple way to enhance student learning.  Quite simply, students write what they know about a specific topic, without using any resources. 

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I stress with the students that they shouldn’t worry about spelling and grammar and should just get out whatever is in their heads about the topic even if it doesn’t come out in a way that makes sense.  I want them to get as out many ideas as possible.

By revealing what they recall immediately after being exposed to information, students show what is sticking with them.  It also allows me to see misunderstandings, giving me a chance to correct those.

I have also used brain dumps in successive days.  It’s interesting to see what sticks with them from one class to another.  With brain dumps, I feel more confident that the students are recalling from day-to-day.  Without the successive brain dumps, not as many students would show retention of key ideas.

Brain dumps will become a more regular practice in my classroom, as it seems to improve students’ recall, is simple to implement, and doesn’t take much time.


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If you have had success with brain dumps or this post has generated some thoughts of your own, please share in the comments. I would appreciate hearing from you.