Plain English Meaning

Practicing several different things mixed together in no set order, instead of drilling one thing over and over before switching.

Full Definition

A practice method in which the learner works on several different skills or task variations in a mixed, unpredictable order rather than repeating one skill many times before moving on. Each attempt requires the learner to recall and adjust how to perform the next task, which strengthens long-term retention and the ability to transfer skills to new situations.

Context Anchor

Seen in flight instructor discussions about how to plan practice sessions, especially after a student has already been introduced to the individual skills.

Derivation

‘Random’ comes from the Old French ‘randon’ meaning ‘great speed, impetuosity,’ later shifting to mean ‘without a fixed pattern.’ In this teaching context it points to the unpredictable order of , not to disorganized teaching.