Forget Less, Remember More: Spaced Repetition in Learning
Imagine meeting someone new, shaking their hand, and hearing their name—only to forget it minutes later. Sound familiar? That’s the Forgetting Curve in action, a concept identified by Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 1800s. In his work, Ebbinghaus (1885) explained that "under ordinary circumstances, frequent repetitions are indispensable in order to make possible the reproduction of a given content." In other words, without reinforcement, our brains quickly discard new information.
But there’s a fix. Spaced Learning helps fight memory loss by reintroducing information at intervals, keeping it fresh (Feng et al., 2019). For example, instead of only offering one-time workshops, structure professional development as a series of short, spaced learning experiences. As illustrated below, offer frequent review opportunities to reinforce key concepts over time. In professional learning, we can do this with follow-ups like additional microlearning courses or quick practice activities.
Another trick? Chunking content into smaller pieces makes it easier to absorb and remember over time. Avoid information overload by breaking learning content into smaller, digestible segments. Think: short modules, infographics, or step-by-step guides that educators can easily revisit when needed (Torgerson, 2016).
Although Ebbinghaus first wrote the Forgetting Curve 140 years ago, it is still scientifically supported, and modern research has refined and expanded upon these original findings to offer strategies for flattening the curve. So next time you hear a name, repeat it, use it, and revisit it later. Your memory will thank you!
References
Ebbinghaus, H. (1885). Memory: A Contribution to Experimental Psychology (translated in 1913).
Feng, K., Zhao, X., Liu, J., Cai, Y., Ye, Z., Chen, C., & Xue, G. (2019). Spaced learning enhances episodic memory by increasing neural pattern similarity across repetitions. The Journal of Neuroscience, 39(27), 5351–5360. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2741-18.2019
Torgerson, C. (2016). The microlearning guide to microlearning: Essential knowledge for creating shorter, smarter learning experiences. River Grove Books.
Ye, G. (2024). Spaced repetition algorithm: A three‐day journey from novice to expert. GitHub. Retrieved February 11, 2025, from https://github.com/open-spaced-repetition/fsrs4anki/wiki/Spaced-Repetition-Algorithm:-A-Three%E2%80%90Day-Journey-from-Novice-to-Expert