Read about this in Range

Humans are very good at doing the least amount of work to produce a solution. So, in class or while learning, we end up figuring out the rules to get to the solution. If these rules are not what the teacher wants us to learn, then the learning is ineffective.

Getting hints while working on a problem improves short term performance but harms long term learning.

There are three science based methods that one could use to help with long term learning - spacing, testing and making connections problems.

1. Making connections problems
2. Spaced repetition - Waiting between practice sessions of the same thing
3. Testing effect/Retrieval practice/Generation effect - When you are forced to recall something, it helps with further learning, even if you recall it wrong. The act of trying to recall strengthens your memory of that event.