{"id":16660,"date":"2025-09-02T12:11:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T18:11:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/?p=16660"},"modified":"2025-08-22T13:30:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T19:30:10","slug":"study-techniques-for-exams-active-learning-in-the-digital-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/study-techniques-for-exams-active-learning-in-the-digital-age\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Techniques for Exams\u200b: Active Learning in the Digital Age"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you find yourself rereading the same passage of text over and over again, not absorbing information? Or getting distracted by your phone, losing your place, then trying to refocus? It\u2019s moments like these where you may question, can I even learn this material at all? While some folks do okay with passively reading to learn, it certainly isn\u2019t the best method for all. Most people require active learning strategies in their learning, especially in the context of digital learning and online learning platforms. The good news is that we can shift from passive consumption to active learning techniques for studying by making a few tweaks to our approach. Have faith! A few effective learning strategies, such as spaced repetition, retrieval practice, and active recall, can make a world of difference in your retention. In this blog, we will explore how to transcend passive reading with tools in the digital learning landscape. Through implementing powerful active learning strategies for online courses, we\u2019ll discuss how tools like <\/span>Peterson’s Test Prep<\/span><\/a> can enhance your e learning endeavors and upgrade your study techniques for exams\u200b.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding the Core Principles of Active Learning<\/b><\/h2>\n

To actively learn means we engage with the material. Research indicates that active engagement is superior for retention and understanding, whereas passive learning yields less retention. In a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a>, researchers find that \u201cas the success of active learning crucially depends on student motivation and engagement, it is of paramount importance that students appreciate, early in the semester, the benefits of struggling with the material during active learning. If students are misled by their inherent response into thinking that they are not learning, they will not be able to self-regulate, and they will not learn as successfully. Additionally, during group work, the poor attitudes or low engagement of a few students can have a negative impact on the other students in their group. Thus, although students may eventually, on their own, discover the value of active learning during a semester-long course, their learning will be impaired during the first part of the course while they still feel the inherent disfluency associated with in-class activities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What is this study saying? Essentially, passive methods present limitations for retention, especially on e-learning platforms. While students may feel that they learn more through this method, the study above suggests that this is because students experience a lower cognitive load when learning in this way. The ease associated with less cognitive load makes them feel more competent with the material in the moment, but when it comes to being tested, students struggle more to recall the material. The good news is that students can instill active learning methods on their own, even if their teacher still uses traditional methods. Below, we will discuss some methods of doing so.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strategy 1: Spaced Repetition \u2013 Optimizing Memory Over Time<\/b><\/p>\n

Welcome to strategy #1: spaced repetition! Spaced repetition is the act of reviewing information at progressively longer intervals. Ever learned someone\u2019s name, then a week later, you\u2019ve already forgotten? What if you saw that person every day for that week, and they introduced themselves to you each time? And each time they said their name, you said it back out loud? This is similar to spaced repetition, but in the latter half of the week, you took the initiative to recall their face and say their name out loud at increasing intervals.<\/span><\/p>\n

This method is more effective than cramming for test prep, as it helps you retrieve and reinforce information when your brain may naturally tend to forget the information. Thereby, instilling the knowledge further and strengthening the memory trace. Implementing spaced repetition in a digital learning environment can be achieved through regular review of online flashcards. Using flashcards, like the ones provided in many <\/span>Peterson’s Test Prep courses<\/span><\/a>, makes spaced repetition easily accessible. Instead of reviewing a topic in one sitting, try reviewing it in chunks: on the first day, then again three days later, then a week later, and then a month later. Each time you review the info, it will be further instilled in your memory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strategy 2: Retrieval Practice \u2013 The Power of Testing Yourself<\/b><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a deep dive into retrieval practice! Retrieval practice is recalling information, which strengthens memory. Retrieval practice strategies are beneficial as study techniques for exams because they help identify gaps in your knowledge, encourage deep processing of data, and improve memory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some examples of simple retrieval practice activities:<\/span><\/p>\n