FRIDAY 25 APRIL 2025 – STUDY METHODS 2025

FRIDAY 25/4/25 STUDY METHODS – SELF-EXPLANATION

Introduction

Have you ever mastered a formula during practice, only to freeze when it appears in a slightly different way on a test? That gap between knowing how and understanding why is where many students struggle — and where self-explanation comes in.

Self-explanation is a powerful study technique that encourages learners to explain concepts in their own words. It pushes them to make sense of each step, idea, or process, creating deeper understanding and stronger memory. In this post, I’ll explore how this technique works, why it matters, and how students, teachers, and parents can apply it to make learning more meaningful.

WHAT IS SELF EXPLANATION

Self-explanation is more than just repeating what you’ve read — it’s about thinking critically and making connections. When using self-explanation, learners study a piece of information and then try to explain how it fits with what they already know or how it relates to a bigger concept. They can explain it to themselves or even better to a willing listener like a fellow student, friend or family member.

For example, instead of memorizing that “multiplying gives the total outcomes,” a student asks, “Why am I multiplying here? What does this step accomplish?”

In Berry’s (1983) foundational study, students who explained their reasoning while solving logical problems performed significantly better than those who didn’t — especially when the questions got harder. By verbalizing or writing out why each step matters, students process the information more deeply.

Self-explanation works by activating prior knowledge, strengthening understanding, and making it easier to apply that knowledge to new problems. It turns repetition learning into sense-making — which leads to more flexible and long-lasting learning.

Application for Students

Students often focus on getting the right answer, but what happens when the question changes? Many learners can follow steps but don’t always know why those steps matter. Self-explanation helps fix that.

Here’s how it works in practice: After solving a problem, reading a paragraph, or studying a diagram, students pause and ask themselves:
 “What was my goal here?”
 “How does this step help me reach that goal?”
 “What does this new idea connect to?”

The process encourages students to break information into understandable chunks and link those chunks to what they already know. Instead of passively reading, they actively reflect — and that boosts retention, comprehension, and transfer.

Self-explanation can be used in all subjects:

• In math subjects, explain why a formula works.
• In science subjects, describe how a process unfolds.
• In literature, it explains a character’s motivation.
• In writing (history geography etc.), reflect on how your argument builds.

Even brief self-explanations — whether spoken aloud or written in the margins — can help students spot misunderstandings, correct errors, and reinforce what they’ve learned. With regular use, self-explanation becomes a habit that makes learning both more intense and more personal.

Five Practical Tips for Using Self-Explanation

1. Ask “What is this step doing?”
   Don’t just do it — explain why you’re doing it.
2. Connect new ideas to what you already know
   Ask: “Have I seen something like this before?” or “What does this remind me of?”
3. Talk it through or write it down
   Say it aloud or jot it in the margins. Both methods help your brain process ideas more deeply.
4. Focus on understanding, not just answers
   The goal is meaning, not perfection. Even incomplete explanations build better thinking.
5. Use prompts to guide your thinking
   Try:
   • “What is my goal?”
   • “Why does this step work?”
   • “How would I explain this to a friend?”

Summary

Self-explanation is a research-backed strategy that helps learners build good, transferable understanding. Instead of memorizing steps, students learn to reflect on why those steps work — a shift that supports long-term success across subjects.

It’s a technique that doesn’t require fancy tools or complicated programs. Just a question and a moment of reflection can turn any study session into a powerful learning experience.

For students: Use self-explanation to guide your problem-solving, reading, and writing.
For parents: Ask your child to explain how they solved something — even if it seems simple.
For teachers: Integrate self-explanation prompts into lessons, homework, and class discussions.

When students can explain something clearly, they understand it better — and they’re ready to use that knowledge anywhere.

“Suffer now, smile later!”