The learning pyramid, also called the cone of learning, the learning cone, the cone of retention or the pyramid of retention, is a pseudoscientific group of learning models that claim to show different degrees of information retention produced by different types of learning activity. Despite its wide circulation in teacher training materials, it is a discredited, unsubstantiated representation rather than an evidence-based account of how retention actually works.
Facts
Core ClaimThe learning pyramid is a pseudoscientific group of learning models and representations that claim to show different degrees of retention produced by different types of learning. 1 FAQs
Why do critics say the learning pyramid's percentages cannot be trusted?
The original study behind the pyramid is lost and its methodology is unknown.
The pyramid is tied to the National Training Laboratories Institute, but the original NTL learning pyramid study is lost. Because of that, critics say the field largely stands on an unknown methodology of unknown quality, with unknown control of influential factors such as time and the population tested, which makes the original study's results untrustworthy.
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Developed By
Source Learning pyramid (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Learning pyramid (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
is a pseudoscientific group of ineffective learning models and representations relating different degrees of retention induced from various types of learning.
Description section
The earliest such representation is believed to originate in a 1954 book called Audio-Visual Methods in Teaching.
Lead paragraph, education-level
The learning pyramid (also known as “the cone of learning”, “the learning cone”, “the cone of retention”, “the pyramid of learning”, or “the pyramid of retention”) is a pseudoscientific group of ineffective learning models and representations relating different degrees of retention induced from various types of learning.
Developed By: Edgar Dale, sections of the article
Criticism emerged on early versions of the model such as Edgar Dale's Cone of Experience.
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