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Interleaving

learning · medium · Same time as regular study — reorganized, not additional

What is Interleaving?

Alternating between different topics or problem types during study sessions rather than focusing on one topic at a time (blocking). Feels harder but produces significantly better long-term learning.

Is there evidence for it?

EVIDENCEstrong

How do you do Interleaving?

  1. 1.Instead of studying Topic A for 2 hours, then Topic B for 2 hours, mix them: A-B-A-B in shorter blocks
  2. 2.When practicing problems, shuffle different problem types rather than doing all of one type in a row
  3. 3.Expect interleaving to feel more difficult and slower — this 'desirable difficulty' is what makes it effective
  4. 4.Use interleaving for related but distinct topics that benefit from comparison and discrimination
  5. 5.Combine with spaced repetition: interleave within sessions, space between sessions

How long does it take?

Same time as regular study — reorganized, not additional.

Is it hard to start?

medium.

Source: Rohrer & Taylor (2007); Kornell & Bjork (2008). Particularly effective for mathematics and problem-solving. Dunlosky et al. (2013) literature review. Research consistently shows interleaving outperforms blocking despite students perceiving it as less effective.
study-technique · problem-solving · desirable-difficulty · math · discrimination · transfer
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This is one entry from the library Shift matches against. It is general information, not advice about you, and nothing on this page came from anyone's conversation.