Ten questions on teaching and learning, each reporting what the evidence actually shows.
Most study advice is inherited rather than tested, and some of the most popular techniques perform poorly under controlled comparison. This quiz covers the methods that do hold up, particularly spacing and retrieval practice, along with the vocabulary and history of formal education. The explanations report the state of the evidence honestly, including for ideas that are widely believed but weakly supported. It is intended to be immediately usable.
Every question in this quiz is listed below with its correct answer and the reasoning behind it. Play first if you would rather not see the answers — or read through as a study sheet.
Play it insteadAnswer: B. The method and practice of teaching
Why: Pedagogy covers how teaching is carried out and the theory behind it. Andragogy is the parallel term for teaching adults.
Answer: A. Reviewing material at increasing intervals over time
Why: Spacing reviews out produces markedly better long-term retention than massing them together. The effect is among the most reliably replicated in the field.
Answer: C. Testing yourself to strengthen memory
Why: Actively recalling information strengthens memory more than reviewing it passively. Rereading and highlighting feel effective but perform poorly in comparison.
Answer: C. The planned content and sequence of a course of study
Why: It sets out what is taught and in what order. A hidden curriculum refers to the norms and attitudes conveyed unintentionally alongside it.
Answer: A. Read and write
Why: Literacy covers reading and writing, with numeracy the equivalent for numbers. Definitions have broadened over time to include functional use in daily life.
Answer: B. An educational method emphasising self-directed activity
Why: Developed by Maria Montessori, it emphasises child-led learning with prepared materials and mixed-age classes. It began with disadvantaged children in Rome.
Answer: C. The University of Bologna
Why: Bologna was founded in 1088 and is usually cited as the oldest in continuous operation in Europe. Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco is older still by most reckonings.
Answer: C. Schooling legally required up to a certain age
Why: Most countries require attendance between specified ages. The age range and whether home education qualifies vary considerably.
Answer: B. An extended piece of research submitted for a qualification
Why: It presents original research or analysis and is usually examined by specialists. Requirements differ markedly between countries and disciplines.
Answer: A. Continuing to learn throughout adult life
Why: It covers formal courses and informal self-directed study alike. Its prominence has grown as careers have become less likely to span a single field.
How Learning Works has 10 questions and takes about 7 minutes to finish. It is rated Medium and sits in our Education & Learning category.
Each of the 10 correct answers adds 10 XP, up to 100 XP for a clean run. Wrong answers cost you nothing, and your full question-by-question review is shown at the end.
Yes. All 10 questions carry a written explanation of why the correct answer is right, so the quiz works as a study sheet as well as a test.
Yes, as often as you like. The questions and the answer options are reshuffled on each run, and you can use Practice Mistakes afterwards to retry only the ones you missed. No account is needed to play.
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