Discipline-Specific Book Review: The Science of Learning
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
Introduction & Context
In today's educational landscape, the gap between how we typically study and what cognitive science reveals about effective learning has never been more apparent. Traditional study methods like highlighting, rereading, and cramming remain popular despite substantial evidence questioning their effectiveness. Enter "Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning" by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel (Harvard University Press, 2014, 336 pages, ISBN: 978-0674729018), a groundbreaking text that challenges conventional wisdom about how learning works.
Overview of the discipline's current challenges
Education at all levels continues to struggle with optimal knowledge retention and transfer. While technology has transformed access to information, pedagogical approaches often remain rooted in outdated understanding of memory and cognition. As education costs rise and career demands intensify, the need for evidence-based learning methods has become increasingly urgent.
Why readers should care
Whether you're a student, educator, tutor, or lifelong learner, understanding the science of learning can dramatically improve educational outcomes. As the authors note early in the text: "People generally are going about learning in the wrong ways" (p. 2). This book transforms abstract cognitive research into practical strategies that can immediately enhance teaching and learning practices across disciplines.
Author Background & Expertise
The unique collaboration between a novelist and two cognitive scientists creates a rare blend of scientific rigor and accessible narrative.
Academic credentials
Co-authors Henry L. Roediger III and Mark A. McDaniel bring substantial research credentials to the work. Roediger is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, where he has conducted groundbreaking research on memory retrieval. McDaniel, a Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the same institution, has published extensively on human learning and memory. Peter C. Brown, a former management consultant and novelist, brings narrative expertise that makes complex research accessible.
Prior publications
Roediger and McDaniel have collectively published hundreds of scientific papers in prestigious journals including Psychological Science, Journal of Memory and Language, and Journal of Educational Psychology. Their previous research directly informs much of the book's content, particularly Roediger's influential work on the "testing effect" (the finding that retrieving information enhances learning more than additional study). Brown's background as a novelist helps translate these scientific findings into engaging narratives.
Chapter Summaries & Core Arguments
"Make It Stick" presents a cohesive argument against intuitive but ineffective learning methods, replacing them with evidence-based alternatives.
Chapter 1–3 highlights
The opening chapters establish the book's central premise: that learning is enhanced when it's effortful. The authors articulate this clearly: "Learning is deeper and more durable when it's effortful. Learning that's easy is like writing in sand, here today and gone tomorrow" (p. 68). Chapter 1 introduces readers to fundamental cognitive principles through stories of successful learners, from surgeons to pilots. Chapter 2 challenges the concept of learning styles, citing research showing "there is no solid scientific evidence for the learning-styles theory" (p. 145).
Chapter 3 provides the book's most transformative insight: the power of retrieval practice. The authors explain, "Retrieval practice—recalling facts or concepts or events from memory—is a more effective learning strategy than review by rereading" (p. 23). This finding alone revolutionizes how we should approach studying and teaching.
Notable case studies/examples
Particularly compelling is the case study of two medical schools with contrasting approaches to anatomy education. One used traditional blocked practice (studying one system completely before moving to the next), while the other employed interleaved practice (mixing different systems throughout the course). Students in the interleaved program demonstrated significantly better diagnostic abilities despite feeling less confident during the learning process.
Another powerful example comes from Louisiana State University, where a physics professor implemented frequent, low-stakes quizzing. Despite initial student resistance, this approach led to dramatically improved performance on conceptual assessments and reduced achievement gaps between demographic groups. The authors note: "Students in the course scored significantly higher than those in the control group on tests of concepts... with the bottom third of students showing the most dramatic improvement" (p. 41).
Writing Style & Accessibility
Despite tackling complex cognitive science, "Make It Stick" remains remarkably readable for diverse audiences.
Tone, jargon level
The authors deliberately avoid excessive technical language while maintaining scientific accuracy. When specialized terms are introduced, they're carefully defined and illustrated through concrete examples. As they explain their approach: "We've taken liberties to simplify the science at times to make it accessible, but we have tried to be true to the research findings and their implications for learning" (p. ix). This balance makes the book valuable for both researchers and general readers.
Use of visuals/diagrams
While the book contains few formal diagrams, it compensates with vivid narrative visualization. For example, when explaining how memory consolidation works, the authors use the metaphor of a spider web of connections being built and strengthened—a concrete image that helps readers grasp an abstract neurological process. Each chapter concludes with a concise summary of key points that serves as an effective visual organizer.
Practical Takeaways for Researchers
The book's greatest strength is transforming cognitive theory into practical strategies for immediate implementation.
The authors provide specific techniques with clear instructions:
- Spaced practice: "Space out your retrieval practice, allowing time to elapse between study sessions" (p. 203)
- Interleaving: "Interleave the study of different problem types, which requires a reset of your thinking" (p. 207)
- Elaboration: "Explain and describe ideas with many details and connect them to what you already know" (p. 209)
- Generation: "Attempt to solve a problem before being shown the solution" (p. 213)
Each technique is grounded in specific research studies cited throughout the text. For researchers specifically, the extensive endnotes provide valuable pathways to primary literature, with over 40 pages of detailed references to original studies.
What distinguishes "Make It Stick" from other pedagogical texts is its honesty about the counter-intuitive nature of effective learning. The authors acknowledge repeatedly that the most effective learning strategies often feel more difficult and less productive in the moment—a crucial insight for designing research studies on learning interventions.
Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
Pros:
- Exceptional translation of complex research into actionable strategies
- Compelling narrative structure that maintains engagement
- Strong empirical foundation with extensive references
- Practical recommendations for diverse learning contexts
- Effective use of case studies to illustrate abstract concepts
Cons:
- Limited discussion of technological applications of learning science
- Some redundancy in examples across chapters
- Minimal coverage of socio-emotional factors in learning
- Could benefit from more visual organizers for complex concepts
Final Verdict: "Make It Stick" earns 4.7/5 stars as an essential resource for anyone involved in education or training. Its evidence-based recommendations challenge conventional wisdom while providing clear alternatives that can be implemented immediately. As the authors state, "It's what you do with learning that counts" (p. 214)—and this book provides the tools to do it right. Whether you're designing curriculum, tutoring students, or trying to master new material yourself, "Make It Stick" offers scientifically validated pathways to more durable and flexible learning.
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FAQs
What defines a discipline-specific book review?
A discipline-specific book review evaluates a text from the perspective of its relevance and utility within a particular academic field. Unlike general reviews, it analyzes specialized content accuracy, methodological approaches, and contribution to disciplinary knowledge. These reviews help specialists identify valuable resources for research, teaching, and professional development within their field.
How do I choose which books to review?
Select books that address current challenges or emerging approaches in your discipline. Prioritize works from established scholars with research credentials, particularly those introducing new methodologies or frameworks. Consider books published within the last 2-3 years to ensure relevance, and look for texts that bridge theoretical concepts with practical applications for maximum utility to your audience.
Can this format work for interdisciplinary texts?
Yes, this review format effectively accommodates interdisciplinary texts with minor adaptations. For interdisciplinary works, expand the "Context" section to address how the book connects multiple fields and evaluate how successfully it integrates diverse methodological approaches. Consider including an additional section that examines how the text might be specifically valuable to practitioners from each relevant discipline.
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