After a science unit, students struggle to remember terms they previously used correctly in class activities. Which strategy should the teacher implement to improve retention over time?

Dual coding refers to the process of combining verbal and visual information to enhance learning. While it can be effective in helping students understand and remember concepts, it does not directly target the retrieval of previously learned terms. Therefore, it is less effective than retrieval practice for improving long-term retention of specific vocabulary.

Elaborative rehearsal involves connecting new information to existing knowledge to aid memorization. Although this technique can improve understanding and retention, it does not emphasize the importance of actively recalling information, which is the core benefit of retrieval practice. Thus, it may not be as effective in reinforcing memory over time.

Metacognitive reflection encourages students to think about their own learning processes and self-regulate their study habits. While beneficial for overall learning strategies, it does not specifically focus on the active recall of previously learned terms. Therefore, it lacks the direct impact on retention that retrieval practice offers.