Revisiting a 19th Century Afton Report Card

Among our ACS artifacts is a report card from the late 19th century. Along with all of the grades for "content areas" there is a grade (and not a very good one) for "recitation". Maybe recitation will make a comeback.

The current edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education has a cover story about "active recall," a study strategy for fact-laden study that goes like this. Read carefully. "Put the book aside and hide your notes. Then recall everything you can. Write it down, or, if you're uninhibited, say it out loud.

Recitation.

Recent papers noted in the article suggest that "when students study on their own, "active recall" — recitation, for instance, or flashcards and other self-quizzing — is the most effective way to inscribe something in long-term memory," as opposed to rereading which "can give rise to a false sense of confidence."