I spent 3 years writing educational apps where interleaved memory was one of the foundational points of learning. Here's a reference
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-interleaving-effect-mixing-it-up-boosts-learning/" rel="nofollow">https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-interleaving-...</a><p>Others include teaching as a way to learn, changing location, spaced repetition. I can provide more references to research if you want.
I very much agree on groups. I find myself not even trying to think myself when in groups since everybody is talking and my focus becomes more about being a good listener.<p>Then I go to my computer and right away has good ideas how to solve something. Just because I got some alone time to focus.