An Examination of the Testing and Spacing Effects in a Middle Grades Social Studies Classroom.

Abstract

This study investigates the relation between review spacing and question format on student retention. Participants in an 8th grade Georgia Studies class reviewed previously learned material either in one sitting (massed review) or in multiple sessions (spaced review). Following the review, each participant answered questions either in multiple choice or short answer format. Subsequent to answering the questions, all students received feedback. One week following the completion of the reviews, students were given a post test. One month after the post test, students were given a final test. Pre-, post- and final tests were identical and no treatment occurred between the posttest and the final test. Correlational analyses of review spacing and question format suggest that spaced review is positively related to success on the posttest. There was no such finding related to massed review or question format on the posttest. Additionally, neither review spacing or question format had any correlational effect on the final test. Results suggest that spaced review is beneficial, but that the benefit is lost over time.