Evidence
These decisions weren't guesses.
Everything Soar asks you to do is backed by research: spaced review, retrieval practice, learning by teaching… Here are the studies we build on — click a title to read the original.
The method: where SOAR comes from
In SoarThe four steps live where you work every day: the notebook, class summaries, the knowledge map, daily review.
2020
Learning strategies that help students SOAR to success. Kiewra, K. A., & Luo, L. · Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education
2016
An investigation of SOAR study strategies for learning from multiple online resources. Daher, T. A., & Kiewra, K. A. · Contemporary Educational Psychology, 46, 10–21
1990
Concept mapping: A useful tool for science education. Novak, J. D. · Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 27(10), 937–949
2002
Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Zimmerman, B. J. · Theory Into Practice, 41(2), 64–70
Review and memory
In SoarDaily review is scheduled around how memory fades; each card asks you to recall before it shows the answer.
2006
Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. · Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354–380
2006
Test-enhanced learning: Taking memory tests improves long-term retention. Roediger, H. L., & Karpicke, J. D. · Psychological Science, 17(3), 249–255
2011
Retrieval practice produces more learning than elaborative studying with concept mapping. Karpicke, J. D., & Blunt, J. R. · Science, 331(6018), 772–775
2013
Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques. Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. · Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4–58
2013
The relative benefits of learning by teaching and teaching expectancy. Fiorella, L., & Mayer, R. E. · Contemporary Educational Psychology, 38(4), 281–288
Classroom and interaction
In SoarMissed a sentence in class? Tap it and ask — listening stops being passive.
2014
Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., et al. · PNAS, 111(23), 8410–8415
2014
The ICAP framework: Linking cognitive engagement to active learning outcomes. Chi, M. T. H., & Wylie, R. · Educational Psychologist, 49(4), 219–243
1978
Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes.Book Vygotsky, L. S. · Harvard University Press
One-to-one tutoring: why the assistant works this way
In SoarThe assistant answers from the classes you took and the materials you read, and tells you which one.
1984
The 2 sigma problem: The search for methods of group instruction as effective as one-to-one tutoring. Bloom, B. S. · Educational Researcher, 13(6), 4–16
1976
The role of tutoring in problem solving. Wood, D., Bruner, J. S., & Ross, G. · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(2), 89–100
Motivation and emotion: where the restraint comes from
In SoarSet a goal and break it into a small step for each day; finish it and today is done.
2002
Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. · American Psychologist, 57(9), 705–717
2006
The control-value theory of achievement emotions. Pekrun, R. · Educational Psychology Review, 18(4), 315–341
2000
Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. · American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78
How growth happens
In SoarReview history, weekly, monthly and yearly reports — watch yourself grow, bit by bit.
1987
Theoretical propositions of life-span developmental psychology: On the dynamics between growth and decline. Baltes, P. B. · Developmental Psychology, 23(5), 611–626
1993
The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. · Psychological Review, 100(3), 363–406
1950
Childhood and Society.Book Erikson, E. H. · W. W. Norton & Company
2006
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.Book Dweck, C. S. · Random House