Unlocking the power of memory through spaced repetition

Let’s face it: learning new things is hard, especially as an adult. Whether we are learning for professional or personal reasons, our studies usually?compete with work, family, and the many other commitments we have in our lives. In this complex – and sometimes stressful – context, finding effective strategies to retain information is crucial.??

One such strategy that has garnered significant attention in both academic and professional circles is spaced repetition. This technique, rooted in cognitive psychology, offers a powerful method to enhance memory retention and optimize learning outcomes.??

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What is Spaced Repetition??

Spaced repetition involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time. This method contrasts sharply with cramming, where information is reviewed intensively over a short period. The principle behind spaced repetition is to revisit information?just as it is about to be forgotten, thereby strengthening neural connections and enhancing long-term retention. This technique is so effective, it has even been successful in?helping dementia patients retain new memories better (Small, 2012). ?

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The Science Behind Spaced Repetition?

Research has consistently demonstrated the efficacy of spaced repetition in improving memory retention. For a memory to be stored, the information must pass through the short-term memory before being committed to long-term memory (Abbas et al., 2023). Revising the information increases the strength of neutral pathways, which leads to a greater chance of long-term storage. This concept was initially developed and tested by Hermann Ebbinghaus, who in the 1880s conducted a multi-year study from which he create the ‘forgetting curve’: a graph (see below) of how information is lost from memory over time (Wharton, 2020). Ebbinghaus also tested how revising the information helped to curb the trend towards forgetting.??

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Source: Erdelyi, M. H. (2010), ‘The ups and downs of memory’, American Psychologist, 65(7), 623. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020440?

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Different approaches?

Researchers continue to dig deeper into the subject of spaced repetition to find out which specific methods are most effective, with experiments varying factors such as the length of time between revisions, the mode of revision, and consistency vs variation in the way information is shown.??

They have found that:??

• There isn’t really an optimal length of time between revisions, though research consistently shows that revising across multiple sessions – as opposed to ‘cramming’ multiple reviews of the same information into a single session – is consistently more effective (Zijlstra, 2023).?

• Active retrieval – such as being asked a question about the material – is more effective than passive revision, such as re-reading study notes (Roediger et al., 2011).?

• Having variations in the way the information is presented each time is more beneficial than direct repetition (Cowan et al., 2024).?

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Implementing Spaced Repetition?

In the classroom, teachers can implement spaced repetition through simple means recapping (ideally in quiz or game form) information learned in previous lessons, or incorporating previously learned language into new concepts.??

It’s a technique that lends itself well to digital tools, where the computer can time intervals automatically and keep track of the number of repetitions. Next time you look for a digital resource for yourself or your students, consider looking for a spaced repetition feature.??

By incorporating spaced repetition into your learning or teaching routine, you can help promote efficient long-term knowledge retention.?

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Spaced repetition is a central concept to Versa’s pedagogical design. Language schools can contact us to find out how more about how Versa supports learners in their journey towards fluent communication.?

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Cowan, E. et al. (2024), ‘The effects of mnemonic variability and spacing on memory over multiple timescales’. PNAS. 121 (12) March 2024. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2311077121??

Editorial Team (2020),?‘Why We Can't Remember What We Learn and What To Do About It’.?Wharton Interactive. Wharton. https://interactive.wharton.upenn.edu/learning-insights/why-we-cant-remember-what-we-learn-and-what-to-do-about-it/??

Roediger, H., et al. (2011), ‘Test-enhanced learning in the classroom: Long-term improvements from quizzing’, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied. 17(4) pp. 382-395. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026252?

Small, J. (2012), ‘A new frontier in spaced retrieval memory training for persons with Alzheimer's disease’.?Neuropsychological Rehabilitation.?22?(3): 329–361.?https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2011.640468?

Zijlstra, D. (2023) ‘Is There an optimal Spacing Formula for Spaced Repetition? Debunking Common Myths’ Traverse.link. 25 Mar, 2023. https://traverse.link/spaced-repetition/the-optimal-spaced-repetition-schedule#c2f32096e0b84ae58566ad5dc861d49d?