INVESTIGATING THE EFFICACY OF RETRIEVAL PRACTICE: A STUDY WITH UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS

Taking a test improves long-term retention of tested information. This effect, deriving from participation in the test, is promoted by retrieval practice. A web-based system, through which undergraduate nursing students were engaged in a retrieval practice program, was integrated into a traditional course of General Psychology. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the students' performance improvement on a final test after participation in the retrieval practice program. A retrieval practice educational program was implemented and integrated in a traditional general psychology course for first-year undergraduate nursing students. A total of 104 students participated in the study and performed a final test. Participation in the retrieval practice program was voluntary. The web-based retrieval practice program consisted of weekly administration of tests related to the psychological contents treated during a course provided traditionally. Students engaged in the retrieval program performed significantly better in a similar final cumulative test than students who chose not to participate. The results showed that retrieval practice can significantly improve learning, in terms of retention of tested information.