Not all learning mechanisms are equal. Research and implementation reveal a clear hierarchy that guides every design decision.
Tier 0: Non-negotiables
These must be in place before anything else matters.
| Mechanism | What it means |
|---|
| Faultless communication | Instruction is unambiguous. Examples clearly distinguish what counts from what does not. |
| Retrieval practice | Active recall is the primary learning event, not passive consumption. |
| Mastery gating | Students do not progress without demonstrating ≥90% accuracy on rigorous assessments. |
Tier 1: Force multipliers
These amplify Tier 0 once the foundation is solid.
| Mechanism | What it means |
|---|
| Spacing | Distribute practice over time. Cramming creates temporary performance. |
| Interleaving | Mix problem types to prevent context-dependency. |
| Worked examples | Study complete solutions before attempting problems. |
| Feedback | Immediate for basic facts; elaborated (explaining why) for concepts. |
Tier 2: Context-dependent
These work under specific conditions.
| Mechanism | What it means |
|---|
| Novelty | Activates attention. Useful for marking practice intervals. |
| Multimedia | Combine verbal and visual when both add value. Avoid redundancy. |
| Gamification | Can increase engagement if it reinforces learning behaviors, not just completion. |
Tier 0 is binary. You either have faultless communication, retrieval practice, and mastery
gating, or you do not. No amount of Tier 1 or 2 optimizations can compensate for a broken
foundation.
