I'm Will (aspiring tortured poet)

In the realm of learning and education, few topics are as debated as the most effective methods to retain information. "Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning" by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel, emerges as a formidable contender in this ongoing discourse. Promising to reveal the secrets behind durable learning, the book captivates readers with its blend of cognitive psychology and practical insights. However, upon closer examination, does its structure truly reinforce the concepts it espouses? One of the strengths of "Make it Stick" lies in its stories. The authors skillfully weave together theory and practice, presenting a cohesive narrative that guides readers through the complexities of learning science. From debunking common myths to elucidating the cognitive mechanisms underlying effective learning, each chapter builds upon the last, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Two of the most impactful were th...

 This course could not come at a better time. However, concurrently applying the concepts in the class has taken a significant amount of time, which unfortunately caused me to start to neglect portions of the class itself.  While I've not kept up well with the required assignments, I'm happy to say I have indeed already applied the concepts in a real-world scenario as I've been developing a new class to teach non-public affairs soldiers how to support public affairs operations within their units. These soldiers, known as unit public affairs representatives (or UPARs), will help ensure the PA is incorporated into their planning, take photo/video of events, write stories, and escort media.  My primary responsibility has been developing the periods of instruction for a four day course to train them on the necessary skills to accomplish this. Outside of this coursework, I've used the concepts of retrieval and interleaving to create quizzes and practical exercises that can b...