Which strategy is used to enhance retention and retrieval in SAFMEDS?

Utilizing a randomized card order during practice is a highly effective strategy for enhancing retention and retrieval in SAFMEDS (Say All Fast a Minute Every Day Shuffled). This method promotes active engagement and cognitive flexibility, as it prevents the practice from becoming too predictable, which can lead to rote memorization. When learners encounter the cards in a randomized order, they are forced to recall the information from memory rather than relying on the order in which they studied. This active retrieval practice strengthens memory pathways and improves the learner's ability to access information when needed.

In contrast, strategies like incorporating visual aids may support learning but do not specifically target the same recall processes as randomizing order. Avoiding review of cards after learning would hinder retention rather than enhance it, as repeated retrieval is crucial for solidifying memory. Similarly, focusing solely on the most difficult concepts could lead to gaps in knowledge if easier concepts are neglected, resulting in an unbalanced understanding of the material. Thus, randomizing card order effectively optimizes the learning process by encouraging consistent and varied retrieval practice.