The Learning Pyramid

 

With contributions from: Hollie Leach

The Learning Pyramid is a model that highlights which teaching and study methods are most effective for retaining information. Spoiler alert: the best way to learn something? Teach it to someone else!

Let’s break it down:

  • Lectures? Meh, you’ll remember about 5%.

  • Reading? Slightly better - 10%.

  • Watching videos? Cool, but only 20% sticks.

  • Demonstrations? Now we’re talking - 30%.

  • Discussions? Talk it out and retain 50%.

  • Practising? Boom! You’ll remember 75%.

  • Teaching others? Jackpot - 90%! 🎉

So how can you, as a tutor, use these insights to supercharge your sessions? Let’s dive into each level with some tips tailored for your sessions.

1. Lecture (5%)

Listening to someone explain a concept is the least effective way to learn. But with a little creativity, it can still be useful.

How to maximise lectures:

  • Keep explanations short and break them up with questions like, “What do you think will happen next?”

  • Get your student to summarise key points aloud during the session.

  • Use a “mini-lecture” to introduce new topics before jumping into interactive methods.

Examples for sessions:

  • Science: Explain the key stages of a process in under two minutes, then ask your student to draw and label a diagram to reflect their understanding.

  • English: Introduce literary techniques like metaphors or similes, then discuss how they appear in the text you’re analysing.

2. Reading (10%)

Reading becomes more effective when paired with strategies that encourage deeper engagement.

How to make reading stick:

  • Assign short paragraphs to read during the session and ask, “What’s the main takeaway here?”

  • Work with your student to create flashcards or mind maps.

  • Reinforce reading with discussions or examples to clarify tricky sections.

Examples for sessions:

  • Maths: Have your student read through worded maths problems and underline key information before solving them.

  • History: Assign a passage on a historical event, then ask them to summarise it in bullet points or explain it to you as if they were a news reporter.

3. Audio-Visual (20%)

Combining visuals with audio helps concepts come to life, making them easier to remember.

Tips for using audio-visual tools:

  • Use videos for abstract topics (e.g., Khan Academy for maths).

  • Create quick diagrams together on a whiteboard or scrap paper.

  • Use colourful charts or graphs to simplify data-heavy content.

Examples for sessions:

  • Watch a short video on a topic, then draw a labelled diagram or mind-map together.

  • Science: You could use an animated clip on cell division, then quiz your student on the process using illustrations.

4. Demonstration (30%)

Seeing concepts in action makes them much easier to grasp.

Ideas for demonstrations:

  • Physically act out or use props to model processes (e.g., using coins to demonstrate fractions).

  • Work through problems together step-by-step while explaining your thinking.

  • Create a “real-world” connection to reinforce the material.

Examples for sessions:

  • Maths: Solve a challenging equation on the whiteboard while explaining your steps, then have them try a similar one with your guidance.

  • Chemistry: Demonstrate balancing a chemical equation by colour-coding each element and showing how to balance both sides visually.

5. Discussion (50%)

Learning through discussion encourages critical thinking and helps students connect ideas.

Ways to spark conversation:

  • Pose open-ended questions like, “What do you think this means?”

  • Play devil’s advocate to challenge their reasoning.

  • Ask them to explain a topic to you as if you were a beginner.

Examples for sessions:

  • Economics: Ask, “Why do you think inflation affects different groups in society in different ways?”

  • English: Discuss why a character acted a certain way and how it shaped the story.

6. Practice Doing (75%)

Nothing beats hands-on practice. The more your student does, the more confident and independent they’ll become.

How to encourage practice:

  • Give them problems or tasks to solve on their own, offering feedback after.

  • Role-play real-world scenarios, like conducting a debate or answering interview questions.

  • Assign creative projects like writing a letter or designing a poster.

Examples for sessions:

  • Maths: Set a series of problems, gradually increasing the difficulty, and have them explain their working.

  • Languages: Ask them to write and deliver a short speech in the language they’re learning, then refine it together.

7. Teach Others (90%)

Teaching others is the ultimate test of understanding. If a student can explain it well, they know it well.

Ways to integrate teaching:

  • Ask them to “teach” you the concept at the end of the session.

  • Have them write a “how-to” guide for someone struggling with the topic.

  • Encourage them to tutor a friend or sibling as homework.

Examples for sessions:

  • Science: After mastering a topic, ask your student to create a lesson plan or slideshow presentation to teach it back to you.

  • English: Ask them to rewrite a tricky grammar rule into an easy-to-follow set of instructions for a classmate.

Why It Matters

The Learning Pyramid reminds us that tutoring is most effective when it’s active, engaging, and varied. By focusing on interactive methods like practice, discussion, and teaching, you can help your students absorb more and build their confidence.

Your challenge: Try ending your next session by having your student teach you something they just learned. You’ll be amazed at how much they retain - and they might even enjoy playing the role of the tutor!

 
PedagogyJennifer Haynes