Learning and education · 1 min read
Students who added a lesson with breaks to physics made greater gains
In physics as a separate subject at six English schools, adding it before the usual class was associated with gains 50% to 90% greater.
The study, in plain language
The lesson lasted an hour and alternated three physics blocks of 11 to 14 minutes with two 10-minute breaks. At six English schools, researchers compared using it alone, using it before usual instruction, or continuing with usual instruction only.
In physics as a separate subject, combining the spaced lesson with later instruction was associated with greater gains on the delayed test. Combined-science courses, which bring several subjects together, also had greater gains than the control, although that group started with lower scores. Results depended on the course and highlighted the full teaching sequence.
The key idea
In separate-subject physics, adding a lesson with breaks to usual instruction was associated with greater gains, which varied by course.
Something to think about
A lesson is not only what is explained; the pauses matter too. What do you do during breaks when you study something long?
The original study
The impact of spaced learning within physics lessons in secondary schools
Source under CC BY 4.0. English adaptation and explanation by PaperFlow, with AI assistance. The text has been reorganized for a general audience; it is not the complete paper and does not imply endorsement by its authors.
One study alone does not represent a field's consensus. Educational content does not replace professional advice. Report a possible error.