Pooja K. Agarwal
@retrievelearn.bsky.social
I make teaching and learning memorable. She/her, Ph.D., cognitive scientist, associate professor, author of Powerful Teaching and Smart Teaching Stronger Learning
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Newsletter: retrievalpractice.org/subscribe
Follow me: linktr.ee/retrievelearn
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Smart Teaching Stronger Learning
In the book Smart Teaching Stronger Learning, 10 renowned cognitive scientists share innovative teaching strategies that strengthen student success. Written for busy educators and leaders in K–12, higher...
retrievalpractice.org
Explore innovative learning strategies with my book "Smart Teaching Stronger Learning," co-written with 10 cognitive scientists (who are also teachers!). Get your copy today and dive into proven methods to enhance student success.
If you’re new to the science of learning, it might feel like a delicious buffet with too many options. Here's how to get started in an hour or less.
Short on time? Get started in an hour or less
If you’re new to the science of learning, including research-based teaching strategies like retrieval practice, spacing, and interleaving, it might feel like there’s a buffet of resources with too...
www.retrievalpractice.org
February 9, 2026 at 3:41 PM
If you’re new to the science of learning, it might feel like a delicious buffet with too many options. Here's how to get started in an hour or less.
Are you and your students tired of cramming information, only to forget it later? There's a better way: brain dumps, the secret to long-lasting learning.
Brain Dump: A small strategy with a big impact
With the end of the semester within sight, we feature a small strategy that makes a big impact on student learning – based on decades of cognitive science research . In scientific lingo, we call it...
www.retrievalpractice.org
February 2, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Are you and your students tired of cramming information, only to forget it later? There's a better way: brain dumps, the secret to long-lasting learning.
Had a blast sharing how I teach and research from the science of learning with 50+ educators around the world during my free Zoom Party!
What's one word that comes to mind when you think about learning?
Subscribe at retrievalpractice.org/subscribe to access the registration link for February
What's one word that comes to mind when you think about learning?
Subscribe at retrievalpractice.org/subscribe to access the registration link for February
January 26, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Had a blast sharing how I teach and research from the science of learning with 50+ educators around the world during my free Zoom Party!
What's one word that comes to mind when you think about learning?
Subscribe at retrievalpractice.org/subscribe to access the registration link for February
What's one word that comes to mind when you think about learning?
Subscribe at retrievalpractice.org/subscribe to access the registration link for February
One thing I love about my book, Smart Teaching Stronger Learning: It's short! 10 chapters, only 10 pages each. I hope you'll check it out and download free resources!
Smart Teaching Stronger Learning
In the book Smart Teaching Stronger Learning, 10 renowned cognitive scientists share innovative teaching strategies that strengthen student success. Written for busy educators and leaders in K–12, higher...
retrievalpractice.org
January 26, 2026 at 3:41 PM
One thing I love about my book, Smart Teaching Stronger Learning: It's short! 10 chapters, only 10 pages each. I hope you'll check it out and download free resources!
Reposted by Pooja K. Agarwal
🚨 📣 Summer Fellows Program Call for undergraduates interested in education research: What are the barriers to effective learning in college? How can we support motivated learning?
For more details, visit: sites.edb.utexas.edu/slam/fellows/
#cogscisky #edusky #academicsky #psychscisky
For more details, visit: sites.edb.utexas.edu/slam/fellows/
#cogscisky #edusky #academicsky #psychscisky
January 20, 2026 at 10:07 PM
🚨 📣 Summer Fellows Program Call for undergraduates interested in education research: What are the barriers to effective learning in college? How can we support motivated learning?
For more details, visit: sites.edb.utexas.edu/slam/fellows/
#cogscisky #edusky #academicsky #psychscisky
For more details, visit: sites.edb.utexas.edu/slam/fellows/
#cogscisky #edusky #academicsky #psychscisky
If you need a lesson fast, use a brain dump. It takes little to no prep and students actually learn — no filler movie needed.
No time to prep? Use a brain dump (not a movie)
If you're behind on prep, you might revisit a past lesson or play a movie (sad, but true). If you need a lesson fast, use a brain dump. It can be stretched into a 30-minute activity and students actually...
www.retrievalpractice.org
January 19, 2026 at 3:41 PM
If you need a lesson fast, use a brain dump. It takes little to no prep and students actually learn — no filler movie needed.
Reposted by Pooja K. Agarwal
Many of educational psychology's foundational theories were developed with homogeneous samples. What would a model of motivation look like if it was built specifically for Black girls? Find out in this podcast - available on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! #PsychSciSky #AcademicSky #EduSky
Terrell R. Morton, Whitney N. McCoy, & ReAnna S. Roby
Dr. Terrell R. Morton, Dr. Whitney N. McCoy, & Dr. ReAnna S. Roby join podcast host Dr. Jeff Greene to discuss their recent Educational Psychologist article, "Black girl embodied motivation: A critica
soundcloud.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Many of educational psychology's foundational theories were developed with homogeneous samples. What would a model of motivation look like if it was built specifically for Black girls? Find out in this podcast - available on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! #PsychSciSky #AcademicSky #EduSky
Reposted by Pooja K. Agarwal
I wrote this guide to engaging teaching a few years ago but we spruce it up now and then - this edition has updated links to work of @sarahesilverman.bsky.social @drtolunoah.bsky.social & others and addressed what I felt was some ableist advice from 2019-Sarah!
We, and the field, evolve.
We, and the field, evolve.
To have any hope of learning the material, students need to involve themselves in your course. Here's how to get them engaged: https://chroni.cl/45MlVlS
How to Make Your Teaching More Engaging
Stimulate your students’ curiosity — and help them learn — using the tried-and-true techniques in this comprehensive guide.
www.chronicle.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:27 PM
I wrote this guide to engaging teaching a few years ago but we spruce it up now and then - this edition has updated links to work of @sarahesilverman.bsky.social @drtolunoah.bsky.social & others and addressed what I felt was some ableist advice from 2019-Sarah!
We, and the field, evolve.
We, and the field, evolve.
Going to a conference soon? Watch out for these two red flags: outdated citations and neuromyths. Don't fall for it!
Two red flags to watch out for at conferences
There are two red flags I always watch out for at conferences, and you should, too: Outdated citations and neuromyths . Replace cringeworthy citations with my list of recent research and get tips on how...
www.retrievalpractice.org
January 12, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Going to a conference soon? Watch out for these two red flags: outdated citations and neuromyths. Don't fall for it!
Want to unlock your students' full potential? It starts with daily habits in the classroom. Discover simple yet powerful strategies to help your students learn more, retain better, and succeed beyond the test.
Start these 3 classroom habits ASAP!
Here are 3 learning habits to establish in your classroom ASAP and tons of retrieval practice activities you should incorporate right now. Don’t wait until later in the semester — students already...
www.retrievalpractice.org
January 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Want to unlock your students' full potential? It starts with daily habits in the classroom. Discover simple yet powerful strategies to help your students learn more, retain better, and succeed beyond the test.
Reposted by Pooja K. Agarwal
D5 of #DitchSummit - Can I just say how much I ❤️retrieval & how much it's already part of my classroom?! In a cool circle of events, I originally learned about RP on DS from @retrievelearn.bsky.social & @patricebain.bsky.social ,who even gave me a pg in her book! Thank U to Dr. Blunt for more ideas!
December 28, 2025 at 4:40 PM
D5 of #DitchSummit - Can I just say how much I ❤️retrieval & how much it's already part of my classroom?! In a cool circle of events, I originally learned about RP on DS from @retrievelearn.bsky.social & @patricebain.bsky.social ,who even gave me a pg in her book! Thank U to Dr. Blunt for more ideas!
Reposted by Pooja K. Agarwal
It's #DitchSummit Day 5! Today @ditchthattextbook.com talks to Dr Janell Blunt about Cognitive Science and Memory Strategies for the Classroom.
#sketchnote #sketchnoting
#sketchnote #sketchnoting
December 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
It's #DitchSummit Day 5! Today @ditchthattextbook.com talks to Dr Janell Blunt about Cognitive Science and Memory Strategies for the Classroom.
#sketchnote #sketchnoting
#sketchnote #sketchnoting
Learn more about how to use #retrievalpractice with white boards from my BFF teacher and cognitive scientist Dr. Janell Blunt at #DitchSummit @ditchthattextbook.com! Sign up at ditchsummit.com to access her video and hundreds more
December 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Learn more about how to use #retrievalpractice with white boards from my BFF teacher and cognitive scientist Dr. Janell Blunt at #DitchSummit @ditchthattextbook.com! Sign up at ditchsummit.com to access her video and hundreds more
I am proud that my colleague and friend Dr. Janell Blunt is a featured speaker at @ditchthattextbook.com's Ditch Summit this year! I'm so glad that Dr. Blunt will be representing our network of cognitive scientists who are teachers. ditchsummit.com #ditchsummit #edusky #academicsky
ditchsummit.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I am proud that my colleague and friend Dr. Janell Blunt is a featured speaker at @ditchthattextbook.com's Ditch Summit this year! I'm so glad that Dr. Blunt will be representing our network of cognitive scientists who are teachers. ditchsummit.com #ditchsummit #edusky #academicsky
Are you going to the Learning & the Brain Conference in Boston this week? Get a FREE copy of Powerful Teaching! Meet me on Saturday, Nov 15 from 12-2pm in the Westin Hotel lobby. Bring a copy of my new book Smart Teaching (available at the conference bookstore) to receive Powerful Teaching 😄 #EduSky
November 11, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Are you going to the Learning & the Brain Conference in Boston this week? Get a FREE copy of Powerful Teaching! Meet me on Saturday, Nov 15 from 12-2pm in the Westin Hotel lobby. Bring a copy of my new book Smart Teaching (available at the conference bookstore) to receive Powerful Teaching 😄 #EduSky
If your students use concept mapping strategies, there might be something missing. Based on research by educator and scientist Dr. Kripa Sundar, the key to an effective concept map isn’t the node, but the links. www.retrievalpractice.org/strategies/c... #EduSky #AcademicSky
Do your students use concept maps? They might be missing this key link
If your students use concept mapping strategies, there might be something missing. Based on research by educator and scientist Dr. Kripa Sundar , the key to an effective concept map isn’t the node, ...
www.retrievalpractice.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM
If your students use concept mapping strategies, there might be something missing. Based on research by educator and scientist Dr. Kripa Sundar, the key to an effective concept map isn’t the node, but the links. www.retrievalpractice.org/strategies/c... #EduSky #AcademicSky
Did you know that I host FREE Zooms exclusively for my newsletter subscribers, with teaching tips based on the science of learning and my own research?
I'm hosting a free Zoom this Friday, October 24. Sign up at retrievalpractice.org/subscribe ASAP to receive the Zoom link! #EduSky #AcademicSky
I'm hosting a free Zoom this Friday, October 24. Sign up at retrievalpractice.org/subscribe ASAP to receive the Zoom link! #EduSky #AcademicSky
October 20, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Did you know that I host FREE Zooms exclusively for my newsletter subscribers, with teaching tips based on the science of learning and my own research?
I'm hosting a free Zoom this Friday, October 24. Sign up at retrievalpractice.org/subscribe ASAP to receive the Zoom link! #EduSky #AcademicSky
I'm hosting a free Zoom this Friday, October 24. Sign up at retrievalpractice.org/subscribe ASAP to receive the Zoom link! #EduSky #AcademicSky
Reposted by Pooja K. Agarwal
Trying to cement another best practice into my repertoire this year. Ss said these were tough, which was my goal. They were shocked when I explained that hard Qs are actually better for retrieval! @retrievelearn.bsky.social #langchat
October 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Trying to cement another best practice into my repertoire this year. Ss said these were tough, which was my goal. They were shocked when I explained that hard Qs are actually better for retrieval! @retrievelearn.bsky.social #langchat
NEW! When should you give students retrieval practice: before, during, or after a lesson? Learn the answer from cognitive scientist, teacher, and the world's expert on spaced retrieval practice, Dr. Shana Carpenter #EduSky #AcademicSky
www.retrievalpractice.org/strategies/o...
www.retrievalpractice.org/strategies/o...
The most common question I get asked about retrieval practice (and the answer)
What is the optimal timing for retrieval practice? The answer—from the world’s expert on spaced retrieval practice, Dr. Shana Carpenter—may surprise you. Learn about spacing (aka spaced repetition), D...
www.retrievalpractice.org
October 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM
NEW! When should you give students retrieval practice: before, during, or after a lesson? Learn the answer from cognitive scientist, teacher, and the world's expert on spaced retrieval practice, Dr. Shana Carpenter #EduSky #AcademicSky
www.retrievalpractice.org/strategies/o...
www.retrievalpractice.org/strategies/o...
Reposted by Pooja K. Agarwal
Concept maps: simple but powerful learning tools. On the podcast this week, Dr. Kripa Sundar shares practices for making the most of them. Also joining us is Dr. Pooja Agarwal (@retrievelearn.bsky.social), editor of the book Smart Teaching Stronger Learning. www.cultofpedagogy.com/concept-maps/
October 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Concept maps: simple but powerful learning tools. On the podcast this week, Dr. Kripa Sundar shares practices for making the most of them. Also joining us is Dr. Pooja Agarwal (@retrievelearn.bsky.social), editor of the book Smart Teaching Stronger Learning. www.cultofpedagogy.com/concept-maps/
Are your students really learning or just memorizing for the test? It's time to rethink our teaching methods and embrace retrieval practice. Learn more about learning in this engaging podcast episode from the Cult of Pedagogy.
Retrieval Practice: The Most Powerful Learning Strategy You're Not Using | Cult of Pedagogy
Nothing cements long-term learning as powerfully as retrieval practice. Learn how to incorporate it into your classroom.
www.cultofpedagogy.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Are your students really learning or just memorizing for the test? It's time to rethink our teaching methods and embrace retrieval practice. Learn more about learning in this engaging podcast episode from the Cult of Pedagogy.
It’s my birthday on Thursday! I’m donating 100% of proceeds from my book Smart Teaching Stronger Learning to charity through October 9 at 11:59pm ET. amzn.to/4hETucQ
Proceeds go to @vintagepetrescue.bsky.social @sparksociety.bsky.social and FriendshipWorks (fw4elders.org)
#EduSky #AcademicSky
Proceeds go to @vintagepetrescue.bsky.social @sparksociety.bsky.social and FriendshipWorks (fw4elders.org)
#EduSky #AcademicSky
Smart Teaching Stronger Learning: Practical Tips From 10 Cognitive Scientists
Smart Teaching Stronger Learning: Practical Tips From 10 Cognitive Scientists [Agarwal, Pooja K.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Smart Teaching Stronger Learning: Practical Tips From 10 Cognitive Scientists
amzn.to
October 8, 2025 at 12:10 AM
It’s my birthday on Thursday! I’m donating 100% of proceeds from my book Smart Teaching Stronger Learning to charity through October 9 at 11:59pm ET. amzn.to/4hETucQ
Proceeds go to @vintagepetrescue.bsky.social @sparksociety.bsky.social and FriendshipWorks (fw4elders.org)
#EduSky #AcademicSky
Proceeds go to @vintagepetrescue.bsky.social @sparksociety.bsky.social and FriendshipWorks (fw4elders.org)
#EduSky #AcademicSky
Not sure how to get students on board with retrieval practice? Get their attention and and reduce anxiety with a trivia question!
Use a trivia question to introduce students to retrieval practice
How can you get students and teachers on board with retrieval practice? Start and end your class or professional development with a trivia question . It’s a quick, fun, and memorable.
www.retrievalpractice.org
October 6, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Not sure how to get students on board with retrieval practice? Get their attention and and reduce anxiety with a trivia question!
Retrieval practice can be tough for students. Here are tips for how to scaffold this important "desirable difficulty" when students struggle to retrieve.
What should you do when your students can't retrieve anything?
Do your students’ minds go blank during an in-class retrieval practice activity? Here are 4 steps you can take to help your students retrieve something.
www.retrievalpractice.org
September 29, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Retrieval practice can be tough for students. Here are tips for how to scaffold this important "desirable difficulty" when students struggle to retrieve.
Make bite sized adjustments to what you're already doing with teaching tips from cognitive scientist Dr. Michelle Rivers
Make bite-sized adjustments to what you’re already doing
Read about these simple, bite-sized strategies from Dr. Michelle Rivers to use what you’re already doing in the classroom and boost student learning even more . Dr. Rivers’s strategies take little...
www.retrievalpractice.org
September 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Make bite sized adjustments to what you're already doing with teaching tips from cognitive scientist Dr. Michelle Rivers