Day 66 of #100DaysOfLearning

You hear the word cognitive load a lot these days in the context of platform engineering. This cognitive load is one of the topics covered in cognitive science. Another thing you may have heard a lot about in cognitive science is the forgetting curve.

You may have heard of the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve.

What is The Ebbinghaus forgetting curve?

The Ebbinghaus forgetting curve is a psychological theory proposed by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 19th century. It describes the phenomenon of how information is lost over time when there is no attempt to retain it.

Ebbinghaus conducted experiments on himself to study the retention of information over time. In his experiments, he memorized lists of nonsense syllables (such as "WID" or "ZOF") and then tested his recall of these lists at various intervals after memorization.

What he found was that forgetting occurs rapidly at first, then levels off. The curve depicting this pattern resembles a steep decline followed by a more gradual decline, forming a curve. Essentially, the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve shows that much of what we learn is forgotten relatively quickly, especially if we do not actively review or use the information.

However, Ebbinghaus also found that the rate of forgetting can be influenced by various factors, such as the meaningfulness of the material, the method of learning, and the individual's prior knowledge or interest in the subject matter. Additionally, techniques such as spaced repetition and active recall can help mitigate the effects of the forgetting curve by reinforcing memory at optimal intervals.

Rapid initial forgetting

Immediately after learning new information, there is a rapid decline in memory retention. Ebbinghaus found that a significant amount of information is forgotten shortly after it is learned, with the most substantial loss occurring within the first few hours or days.

Steep decline followed by leveling off

The forgetting curve typically exhibits a steep decline in memory retention during the initial period after learning. However, the rate of forgetting gradually decreases over time, eventually leveling off. This means that while forgetting occurs most rapidly shortly after learning, the rate of forgetting slows down over time.

Asymptotic retention

Despite the initial rapid decline, a certain amount of information is retained over the long term. The forgetting curve reaches a point where memory retention stabilizes at a lower level, indicating that some information persists in memory even without reinforcement or practice.

Variability in forgetting rates

The shape and steepness of the forgetting curve can vary depending on factors such as the nature of the material learned, individual differences in memory ability, and the effectiveness of encoding strategies. For example, meaningful or personally relevant information may be retained better than meaningless or irrelevant information.

To counteract the effects of the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve

To counteract the effects of the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve and improve long-term retention, several strategies can be employed:

Spaced repetition

Instead of cramming information all at once, spaced repetition involves reviewing material at gradually increasing intervals over time. This technique takes advantage of the spacing effect, which suggests that spaced out practice leads to better long-term retention compared to massed practice.

Active recall

Actively retrieving information from memory, such as through practice quizzes or self-testing, enhances retention by strengthening memory retrieval pathways. Engaging in active recall forces your brain to reconstruct the information, making it more likely to be remembered in the future.

Elaborative encoding

Linking new information to existing knowledge or creating meaningful associations can improve memory retention. Techniques like mnemonics, visualization, and storytelling can help make information more memorable by providing context and connections.

Interleaved practice

Instead of practicing one skill or concept repeatedly before moving on to the next, interleaved practice involves mixing different types of material or tasks. This approach fosters deeper learning and better retention by challenging the brain to distinguish between different concepts and retrieve information more flexibly.

Sleep and rest

Adequate sleep is essential for memory consolidation. Research has shown that sleep plays a crucial role in strengthening memory traces and integrating new information into existing knowledge networks. Prioritizing regular sleep patterns and avoiding sleep deprivation can support optimal memory function.

Mindful learning

Being attentive and engaged during learning can enhance memory encoding and retention. Minimize distractions, take breaks when needed, and practice mindfulness techniques to maintain focus and reduce cognitive overload.

Utilize multiple modalities

Incorporating different sensory modalities, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, can enhance encoding and retrieval of information. Experiment with various study techniques, such as reading, listening to lectures, writing notes, or creating diagrams, to find what works best for you.

Review and rehearsal

Periodically reviewing previously learned material and actively rehearsing key concepts can help reinforce memory traces and prevent forgetting. Schedule regular review sessions to refresh your memory and strengthen retention over time.

Anki

To turn short-term memory into long-term memory, I started using an application called "Anki". It is a well-known application, so many of you may already know it.

What is Anki?

ankitects/anki (github.com)

Anki is a popular spaced repetition flashcard program and app designed to help users memorize and retain information efficiently. The name "Anki" comes from the Japanese word for "memorization" or "learning by heart."

Anki allows users to create digital flashcards containing text, images, audio, and even mathematical equations. These flashcards are then presented to the user for review based on a spaced repetition algorithm, which schedules the cards for review at optimal intervals to maximize retention and minimize forgetting. Cards that are difficult for the user to recall are shown more frequently, while cards that are easier to remember are shown less frequently, thus optimizing the learning process.

Next Action

Learning is a wonderful thing. However, there is no point in forgetting what you have learned. Therefore, I would like to make an effort to root a lot of knowledge in my long-term memory, for example, by using applications such as Anki.