What if forgetting wasn’t failure, but actually part of the learning process?
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, I sit down with bestselling author and educator Kate Jones to dig into what retrieval practice really looks like in the classroom. Kate shares practical strategies, clears up some of the biggest misconceptions, and talks through how feedback and scaffolding can make a huge difference for our students.
I loved hearing her stories from the classroom and the way she brings the research to life with simple, sustainable routines teachers can use straight away. Whether you’re just starting out with retrieval or looking to take it deeper, this conversation is packed with ideas to help knowledge stick and build student confidence.
Resources mentioned:
- Why Students Don’t Like School — Daniel Willingham
- Love to Teach — Kate Jones
- Retrieval Practice series (multiple books) — Kate Jones
- Retrieval Practice: Myths, Mutations and Mistakes (free ebook, Evidence Based Education) — Kate Jones
- Flashcards ebook (Evidence Based Education) — Kate Jones
- ResearchEd Guide to Cognitive Science (Kate wrote chapters on retrieval and spacing; Jonathan Firth on interleaving)
- Dunlosky (2013) – Strengthening the Student Toolbox
- Retrievalpractice.org (Pooja Agarwal’s meta-analysis of classroom studies)
- Carousel Learning (Adam Boxer)
- TES (retrieval templates)
You can connect with Kate:
Twitter/X: @KateJones_teach
Email: katesofiajones@gmail.com
Website: https://www.katejoneseducation.com/
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Kate Jones
Kate Jones is an experienced teacher, leader, bestselling author, blogger and award-winning international speaker. She is currently Senior Associate for Teaching and Learning at Evidence Based Education and the author of over ten books, including a bestselling series on retrieval practice. Kate was also the editor of the researchEd Guide to Cognitive Science, and her latest book focused on evidence-informed and workload-friendly feedback strategies to support teacher workload and student progress. Kate writes extensively about education in various educational magazines, including Teach Middle East Magazine and the TES and is also the founder of The Love To Teach Podcast. She has presented and worked with schools around the world. You can connect with Kate on social media @KateJones_Teach.
2025 Australian School Improvement Summit
The 2025 Australian School Improvement Summit is coming to Sydney on Wednesday 29 October — a one-day event bringing together system leaders, researchers, principals, and expert practitioners to focus on what works in schools, and how to make it happen at scale.
Hear from leading voices like Natalie Wexler (The Knowledge Gap), curriculum expert Dr Ben Jensen, and school leaders Lisa Holt (Rosebud Secondary College), Manisha Gazula (Marsden Road Public School), and Dr Greg Ashman (Ballarat Clarendon College).
If you’re a school leader or educator committed to improving outcomes for every student — and believe in doing fewer things, better — this is an event not to miss.Special offer for listeners: 20% off full-price tickets with code LearnWithLee.
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