What percentage of information do we typically retain from what we teach?

The concept of retaining information from what we teach is grounded in the idea that teaching a subject helps solidify that knowledge in our own minds. Research, particularly in educational psychology, suggests that individuals retain a significant portion of the information they actively engage with while teaching, often cited as around 90%. This high retention rate can be attributed to several factors: teaching forces the educator to engage deeply with the material, anticipate questions, and clarify concepts for others, which enhances understanding and memory.

In contrast, lower percentages reflect the retention rates associated with different learning methods such as listening, watching, or reading, which tend to capture only a portion of the information presented. This highlights the importance of active participation in learning and teaching methodologies. Understanding your audience and adapting your teaching strategies plays a crucial role in reinforcing the material, contributing to the high retention rates observed in teaching contexts.