This quote might sound weird, but it is the key idea behind one of the best ways to learn. In education, where remembering what you've learned is so important, knowing how forgetting works can completely change how we learn.
Think of it this way: each time you almost forget something and then remember it, your brain makes that memory stronger. That's the value of Ukuphindaphinda phakathi – a method that uses our natural tendency to forget as a powerful learning tool.
In this article, we'll explore what spaced repetition is, why it works, and how to use it in teaching and learning.
What is Spaced Repetition & How It Works?
What is spaced repetition?
Spaced repetition is a learning method where you review information at increasing intervals. Instead of cramming all at once, you space out when you study the same material.
It's not a new idea. In the 1880s, Hermann Ebbinghaus found something he called the "Forgetting Curve." People forget up to half of what they learn in the first hour, according to what he found. This could go up to 70% in 24 hours. By the end of the week, people tend to retain only about 25% of what they've learned.
However, spaced repetition combats this forgetting curve directly.
Ingaba isebenza kanjani
Your brain stores new information as a memory. But this memory will fade if you don't work on it.
Spaced repetition works by reviewing right before you're about to forget. That way, you'll remember that information for a lot longer and more stable. The keyword here is "spaced".
To understand why it is "spaced", we have to understand its opposite meaning - "continuous".
Researches have shown that it is not good to review the same information every day. It can make you feel tired and frustrated. When you study for exams at spaced intervals, your brain has time to rest so that it can find a way to recall the knowledge that is being diminished.
Each time you review what you’ve learned, the information moves from short-term to long-term memory. The key is in the timing. Rather than reviewing daily, you can review after:
- Ngolunye usuku
- Iintsuku ezintathu
- Iveki enye
- Iiveki ezimbini
- Inyanga enye
This space grows as you remember the information better.
Benefits of spaced repetition
It is clear that spaced repetition works, and study backs this up:
- Better long-term memory: Studies show that by using spaced repetition, learners can remember about 80% of what they learn after 60 days - a significant improvement. You remember things better for months or years, not just for the test.
- Study less, learn more: It works better than traditional study methods.
- Stress-free: No more staying up late to study.
- Works for all types of learning: From language vocabulary to medical terms to work-related skills.
How Spaced Repetition Helps Learning & Skills
Spaced repetition in schools
Students can use spaced repetition for nearly any subject. It helps with language learning by making new vocabulary stick better over time. The spaced review helps students remember important dates, terms, and formulas in fact-based subjects like math, science, and history. Starting early and reviewing at regular intervals helps you remember things better than cramming at the last minute.
Spaced repetition at work
Spaced repetition is now being used by businesses to train employees better. During new employee onboarding, key company information can be checked regularly through microlearning modules and repetitive quizzes. For software training, complicated features are practised over time instead of all at once. Employees remember safety and compliance knowledge better when they review it often.
Spaced repetition for skill developments
Spaced repetition isn't just for facts. It works for skills too. Musicians find that short, spaced practice sessions work better than long marathons. When people are learning to code, they get better at it when they go over concepts with enough space between them. Even sports training works better in the long run when practice is spread out over time instead of all being done in one session.
How to Use Spaced Repetition in Teaching & Training (3 Tips)
As an educator looking to apply the spaced repetition method to your teaching? Here are 3 simple tips to help your students retain what you've taught.
Make learning fun and engaging
Instead of giving too much information at once, break it up into small, focused bits. We remember pictures better than just words, so add helpful images. Make sure that your questions are clear and detailed, and use examples that connect to everyday life. You can use AhaSlides to create interactive activities in your review sessions through quizzes, polls, and Q&As.
Schedule reviews
Match intervals to the level of difficulty you're learning. For challenging material, start with shorter intervals between reviews. If the topic is easier, you can stretch intervals more quickly. Always adjust based on how well your learners remember things each time you review. Trust the system, even if it seems like too long has passed since the last session. The small difficulty in remembering actually helps memory.
Landa inkqubela phambili
Use apps that provide detailed insights about your learners' progress. For example, AhaSlides offers a Reports feature that helps you closely track each learner's performance after every session. With this data, you can identify which concepts your learners repeatedly get wrong - these areas need more focused review. Give them kudos when you notice they remember information faster or more accurately. Regularly ask your learners what's working and what's not, and adjust your plan accordingly.
ibhonasi: To maximise the effectiveness of spaced repetition, consider incorporating microlearning by breaking content into 5-10 minute segments that focus on a single concept. Allow for self-paced learning – learners can learn at their own pace and review information whenever it suits them. Use repetitive quizzes with varied question formats through platforms like AhaSlides to reinforce important concepts, facts, and skills they need to master the subject.
Spaced Repetition & Retrieval Practice: A Perfect Match
Ukuziqhelanisa nokubuyisela and spaced repetition are a perfect match. Retrieval practice means testing yourself to recall information instead of just re-reading or reviewing it. We should use them in parallel because they complement each other. Here’s why:
- Spaced repetition tells you when to study.
- Retrieval practice tells you how to study.
When you combine them, you:
- Try to recall information (retrieval)
- At the perfect time intervals (spacing)
This combination creates stronger memory paths in your brain than either method alone. It helps us train our brains, remember things longer, and do better on tests by putting what we've learned into practice.
Iingcinga Final
Spaced repetition can actually change the way you learn, whether you're a student learning new things, a worker improving your skills, or a teacher helping others learn.
And for those in teaching roles, this approach is especially powerful. When you build forgetting into your teaching plan, you align your methods with how the brain naturally works. Start small. You can pick one important concept from your lessons and plan review sessions that happen at slightly longer intervals. You don't have to make your review tasks hard. Simple things like short quizzes, discussions, or writing assignments will work just fine.
After all, our goal isn't to prevent forgetting. It's to make learning stick better each time our learners recall information successfully after a gap.
