Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is a learning strategy where material is reviewed at increasing intervals. Hermann Ebbinghaus, a psychologist who explored memory and the process of forgetting contributed his ideas to this technique. His research laid the groundwork for understanding the effectiveness of spaced review in memory retention. Piotr Wozniak advanced the concept with the development of the SuperMemo algorithm in the 1980s, one of the earliest implementations of spaced repetition in computer-based learning systems. Today, spaced repetition is widely used in education and self-directed learning to enhance memory recall and promote long-term retention
How do we use Spaced Repetition during review sessions?
First, start by creating your flashcards:
Write down a question or a piece of information on one side of the flashcard.
Write the answer or relevant details on the other side.
For example, on one flashcard, you could write: "What year did World War II end?" On the other side, write: "1945."
Review the flashcards:
Start by reviewing all the flashcards in your deck.
Test yourself on each flashcard by trying to recall the answer before flipping it over.
For the example flashcard, try to recall the year World War II ended before checking the answer.
Assess your performance:
After reviewing all the flashcards, assess your performance on each one.
Mark each flashcard based on how well you remembered the information:
"Easy" if you remembered the answer quickly and confidently.
"Medium" if you struggled a bit but eventually recalled the answer.
"Hard" if you couldn't remember the answer at all or if you made significant errors.
For the example flashcard, if you remembered "1945" easily, mark it as "Easy."
Schedule future reviews:
Based on your assessment, schedule future review sessions for each flashcard.
Flashcards marked as "Easy" may be scheduled for review in a few days or even weeks.
Flashcards marked as "Medium" may be scheduled for review sooner, perhaps in a day or two.
Flashcards marked as "Hard" should be reviewed again soon, possibly the same day or the next day.
Adjust the intervals between reviews based on your performance and the difficulty of the material.
Repeat the process:
Continue reviewing the flashcards using spaced repetition.
Each time you review the flashcards, reassess your performance and adjust the scheduling accordingly.
As you become more familiar with the material, the intervals between reviews will increase, but continue to review the flashcards regularly to maintain your memory retention.
What are some of the benefits?
Spaced repetition builds memory retention by “spacing out” review sessions over time, strengthening memory recall pathways in your brain and promoting long-term retention of information. Additionally, it promotes learning efficiency by focusing on reviewing material when it's most beneficial, reducing the need for excessive repetition and reducing study time while maximizing retention. The adaptive nature of spaced repetition algorithms fits review sessions to all learner performances, optimizing the learning process for the best effectiveness. The strategy is also effective for a wide range of subjects and types of information, promoting active engagement and deeper understanding of the material.
Who can benefit from this technique?
Self-directed learners: Individuals who prefer independent learning and have the discipline to stick to a study schedule benefit greatly from spaced repetition. They can manage their review sessions effectively and adapt the technique to their own learning pace and preferences.
Visual learners: Learners who benefit from visual aids and organization can use spaced repetition to create visual study materials, such as flashcards or mind maps, to reinforce memory recall and promote long-term retention.
Auditory learners: Learners who prefer auditory methods of learning can use spaced repetition by recording themselves reciting key information or listening to audio recordings of study material at spaced intervals.
Busy professionals: Working professionals with limited study time can benefit from spaced repetition by incorporating short review sessions into their daily routine, such as during commute times or breaks between tasks.
Students with learning disabilities: Learners with learning disabilities, such as ADHD or dyslexia, can benefit from spaced repetition as it provides a structured and systematic approach to learning, allowing them to review material at their own pace and reinforce memory recall over time.
Adult learners: Adults returning to education or pursuing lifelong learning goals can use spaced repetition to manage their study time effectively and retain information over the long term, especially when balancing multiple responsibilities.
Test-takers: Individuals preparing for standardized tests or professional certifications can use spaced repetition to systematically review and retain large amounts of information, improving their performance on exams and assessments.
What subjects should be paired with Spaced Repetition?
Language learning: Spaced repetition is highly effective for language learning because it helps learners memorize vocabulary, grammar rules, and language patterns over time. Regular review sessions reinforce memory recall pathways, leading to improved retention of language skills.
Example: A student learning Spanish can use spaced repetition to review new vocabulary words and verb conjugations regularly, ensuring long-term retention and mastery of the language.
Science and mathematics: Spaced repetition is beneficial for subjects that involve memorization of key concepts, formulas, and problem-solving techniques. Regular review sessions help reinforce memory recall pathways and promote long-term retention of important information.
Example: A student studying biology can use spaced repetition to review key terms, definitions, and biological processes regularly, enhancing their understanding and retention of the material.
History and social sciences: Spaced repetition is useful for subjects that involve memorization of historical events, dates, and key figures. Regular review sessions help learners retain important details and connections between events.
Example: A student studying World War II can use spaced repetition to review key battles, dates, and historical figures regularly, ensuring they can recall important details and analyze the significance of events accurately.