Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M0109

The Learning Pyramid

The Learning Pyramid
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Originating from the National Training Laboratories (NTL) in the United States. It shows the average retention rates two weeks after different learning methods: Lecture (5%), Reading (10%), Audiovisual (20%), Demonstration (30%), Discussion (50%), Practice by Doing (75%), and Teaching Others (90%). Scaffolding role: - Structured Feynman Technique: visually demonstrates the huge gap between 'passive learning' and 'active learning'. - Learning strategy transformation: If you truly want to master knowledge, don't just 'read books', but try 'hands-on practice' or 'teaching others' (i.e., output-driven input).

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

- Structured Feynman Technique: visually demonstrates the huge gap between 'passive learning' and 'active learning'. - Learning strategy transformation: If you truly want to master knowledge, don't just 'read books', but try 'hands-on practice' or 'teaching others' (i.e., output-driven input).

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Anchor fast decisions

NTL research ranks learning methods by retention rate after two weeks: Lecture 5%, Reading 10%, Audiovisual 20%, Demonstration 30%, Discussion 50%, Practice by Doing 75%, Teaching Others 90%. The depth of participation from passive to active determines retention.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/1

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
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Source support: Explicit

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    dxhx.pku.edu.cnhttps://dxhx.pku.edu.cn/article/2017/1000-8438/dxhx-201708018.shtmlZH · Explicit
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Feynman Technique

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