How to do free recall (AKA active recall) - Language learning demonstration, by Benjamin Keep, PhD, JD on YouTube. 6 min 28 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 28 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Pick one topic you have already studied, such as a chapter of anatomy or a set of vocabulary words. Close your notes and put them out of sight.
Set a timer for about 5 minutes. Write down everything you can remember about the topic on a blank sheet, in any order.
Keep going when you get stuck. Pause, think, and write down partial facts, names or examples rather than stopping early.
When the timer ends, open your notes and check what you missed. Mark the gaps in a different colour.
Wait until the material has left your short term memory, then do a second round from a blank page. Aim to recall more than in round one.
Space your rounds over days rather than hours. Do one round soon after learning, then again a few days later, then about a week later.
If recall feels too hard, break the topic into smaller chunks. If it feels too easy, wait longer between rounds or add more detail to your answers.
Tips and common mistakes
Write from memory first and check afterwards, or you are just copying your notes.
Short, frequent rounds beat one long session because each round forces your brain to retrieve the material again.
Do not worry about order or neatness during recall. The effort of searching for the information is what makes it stick.
Questions
How long should each recall round be?
About 5 minutes per topic is enough for most people. Stop when you have written everything you can and your mind is circling the same facts.
Can I use free recall for language learning?
Yes. Write down all the words and phrases you remember from a lesson, then check your list against your notes and note the gaps.
What if I cannot remember anything at all?
That usually means the topic is too big or too new. Review the material briefly, then split it into smaller chunks and try again.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
