Your students are concerned about retaining material until they take the state exam. Which of the following methods would allow the students to retain the information the longest?

The method that allows students to retain information the longest is the combination of saying and doing. This approach is rooted in active learning techniques, which emphasize participation and engagement in the learning process. When students verbalize information, they reinforce their understanding and memory by actively processing what they are learning. Additionally, doing—such as practicing skills or applying knowledge in simulations—creates a deeper connection to the material.

Active participation in both speaking and hands-on activities promotes retention, as it engages multiple cognitive processes. This combination enhances understanding, makes the learning experience more enjoyable, and leads to better recall when it comes time for assessments, such as the state exam.

Other methods, while beneficial in their own ways, typically foster less retention compared to speaking and participating in hands-on activities. For example, reading provides foundational knowledge but may not engage the learner as deeply, potentially leading to lower retention rates. Seeing and hearing is valuable for introducing concepts but lacks the active involvement necessary for deeper learning. Writing and doing is effective as well, but the spoken element of saying—often linked with verbalizing thoughts or explaining concepts aloud—adds an additional layer of reinforcement that enhances memory retention.