In the past, we explored the question Should students use ChatGPT for Retrieval Practice? At the time, there simply wasn’t enough evidence on the impact of AI to give a clear answer.
However, more recently, things have changed, and one study has set out to answer this question directly.
So, what did they discover? Read on to explore:
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What does the research say?
In this recent study, researchers compared the final exam performance of two groups of students: one group used ChatGPT to support their Retrieval Practice (the simple but powerful act of recalling information), while the other used traditional study methods without AI support.
Students who used ChatGPT used it in two main ways: to generate practice questions and to receive immediate feedback on their responses. Teachers embedded these activities in weekly class sessions, and students continued to use them during the revision period before final exams.
The results were significant and somewhat surprising: students who used ChatGPT for Retrieval Practice were associated with notably higher scores on their final exams compared to those who didn’t.
Beyond the improved test scores, students reported that ChatGPT made learning more accessible and engaging. They appreciated the tool’s ability to quickly generate a variety of question types and deliver instant feedback, helping them identify gaps in understanding and correct mistakes in real time.
However, the study also revealed some limitations. Many students expressed a preference for lecturer-generated questions, which they felt were better structured and more clearly aligned with exam expectations. This finding points to an important conclusion: ChatGPT can support Retrieval Practice, but it’s most powerful when paired with human guidance and effective use. one thousand randomised control trials in education between 1980 and 2016, over three quarters of these have been done in the past ten years alone.
What does this mean for the classroom?
While ChatGPT has clear potential, its impact depends largely on how you integrate it into the classroom, and how you teach your students to manage their usage. Here are three key takeaways:
1. Teach students how to use ChatGPT well
Your students need more than access to ChatGPT; they need to know how to use it well. This approach not only strengthens retrieval but also builds critical thinking skills. It also leverages the real value of ChatGPT as a co-intelligence.
To make the most of the tool, students must engage critically with ChatGPT’s output and not just take it at face value. One effective approach is to have students begin by using ChatGPT to generate a set of questions on a given topic. Next, students should evaluate the quality of those questions: Are they understandable? Are they challenging enough? Do they match the types of questions expected in the exam? With feedback and guidance, students can then revise and improve these questions, turning a simple exercise into a deeper learning process.
2. Encourage Successive Relearning
One of the biggest challenges with Retrieval Practice is getting students to do it consistently. Many still fall into the habit of cramming the nights before leading up to an exam, which may boost short-term recall but rarely leads to long-term learning.
Retrieval Practice is most effective when paired with Spacing, the practice of spreading study sessions out over time. Together, these two strategies form the basis of Successive Relearning.
This is where ChatGPT can be a game-changer. By giving your students a tool they can access anytime, ChatGPT allows them to engage in Retrieval Practice more regularly and independently, without having to wait for teacher-created materials.
So, teach your students not to wait until the week of the exam to begin Retrieval Practice. Encourage them to use tools like ChatGPT early and often – not as a cramming shortcut, but as part of a spaced, ongoing learning process.
2. Gather feedback on how it’s working
Finally, don’t assume that the presence of AI means it’s working as intended. Just as we assess learning outcomes, we should assess the learning experience, especially when integrating new tools like ChatGPT.
Regularly asking your students for feedback helps ensure that they are using the tool in a way that actually supports their learning. Ask them what’s working, where they feel uncertain, and how the process could be improved. Their insights can highlight issues that might not be visible from your side and help refine how you use AI in future classes.
This feedback loop also sends a powerful message that their experience matters. When students see that their voices shape instructional decisions, they’re more likely to stay engaged and approach AI tools with greater responsibility and intention.
Final thoughts
When used intentionally, ChatGPT can be a powerful tool for supporting students’ Retrieval Practice. But the true power lies in the effort that those students invest in their own learning – something no AI can replace.
ChatGPT works best when it supports, rather than substitutes, the mental work students need to do. Encouraging students to think critically and reflect on their learning turns ChatGPT into a meaningful partner in the learning process. If you want to learn more about helping your students with this, we recommend booking a Using AI in Education workshop, or checking out our free guide.
