Definition
Varied practice means practising the same underlying skill across a range of contexts and conditions, so the skill transfers beyond the examples used during study.
Why it matters
Skills over-fit to a narrow context if practised in only one context; varying conditions forces the learner to extract the underlying principle.
Scientific basis
Contextual interference and transfer-of-training research shows that varied practice improves the ability to apply skills in new situations.
How to apply it
- Practise a skill in multiple settings, with multiple examples, against multiple phrasings.
- Ask yourself each time: what is the underlying principle here, separate from this example?
- Combine varied practice with feedback so you can correct mis-generalisations.
Common mistakes
- Treating variety as entertainment rather than as a learning mechanism.
- Varying surface details without varying the underlying problem structure.
- Stopping practice at the first successful example.
Examples
- Practising free throws from different spots on the court improves overall shooting more than 100 shots from the same spot.
- Reading multiple case studies of the same business concept helps learners apply the concept to new cases.
Related concepts
- Interleaving (complements)
Varied practice is the broader principle; interleaving is one implementation. - Transfer of Learning (is a foundation for)
Varied practice is what makes transfer possible.
Where it shows up
Domains: programming, creative-skills, professional-skills. Appears in the Practice & Spacing cluster alongside 3 other concepts.
Source books
- Make It Stick: Brown, Roediger & McDaniel
- Ultralearning: Scott Young
Articles that use this concept (3)
- Varied Practice for Real Skills: varied practice
- Use Similar Examples to Build Skill: varied practice examples
- Make Practice Harder on Purpose: varied practice harder