Interleaved practice is a learning strategy that involves mixing different types of problems or topics within a single study session, rather than focusing on one type at a time.
Interleaved practice is a learning approach where instead of studying one topic or skill intensively before moving to the next (blocked practice), you mix different topics or types of problems within a single study session. This approach creates a more challenging learning environment but leads to better long-term retention and skill transfer.
Interleaved practice works by forcing your brain to continually retrieve and apply different strategies and knowledge sets. Research by Rohrer & Taylor (2007) demonstrated that students who practiced math problems in an interleaved fashion performed significantly better on tests than those who used blocked practice, despite initially finding the process more difficult.
Interleaved practice enhances learning in several ways. It improves discrimination skills (the ability to tell similar concepts apart), strengthens memory retrieval, and helps develop better problem-solving strategies. By constantly switching between topics, you learn to identify which strategies to apply to different types of problems.
Blocked practice (studying one topic intensively before moving to the next) often feels more productive because you make rapid progress in the short term. However, this progress is often illusory. Interleaved practice feels more difficult but leads to better long-term learning outcomes and skill transfer to new situations.
Implementing interleaved practice in your study routine requires some planning but can significantly enhance your learning:
| Strategy | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Mix Problem Types | Instead of completing all problems of one type, mix different types within a single session |
| Rotate Subjects | Study multiple subjects in one session, switching between them every 20-30 minutes |
| Randomize Practice | Shuffle flashcards or practice problems from different topics rather than organizing by category |
| Spaced Interleaving | Combine interleaving with spaced repetition by revisiting topics at increasing intervals |
The key to effective interleaved practice is to ensure that you're switching between related but distinct topics or problem types. This creates productive difficulty that enhances learning.
Interleaved practice has been validated through numerous research studies across different subjects and skill domains:
The evidence consistently shows that interleaved practice is effective across diverse learning domains, from mathematics and science to art and physical skills.
Memo incorporates interleaved practice principles into its learning platform to help you study more effectively:
“Memo's intelligent study algorithms automatically mix different topics and question types to optimize your learning through interleaved practice.”
Here's how Memo helps you leverage interleaved practice:
For educators, Memo provides tools to create interleaved assignments and assessments that help students develop stronger discrimination skills and deeper understanding.
Get started with Memo today and experience the power of evidence-based learning techniques.
