Spaced Repetition | Studying Effectively for GCSE's & A-level's

Summary

This video delves into the study technique of spaced repetition, which counters the forgetting curve discovered by Hermann Ebbinghaus. It highlights studies showing spaced repetition's effectiveness in enhancing long-term retention, contrasting it with cramming and continuous review. The video promises to explore optimal intervals for spaced repetition and its implementation alongside active recall for maximizing study efficiency and grades.

Takeaways

• 📚 Spaced Repetition is a study technique that builds upon the concept of active recall, which was discussed in the previous video.
• 📉 The Forgetting Curve, discovered by Hermann Ebbinghaus, shows the logarithmic decay of memory retention over time.
• 🔍 Ebbinghaus found that testing himself at intervals increased the time taken to forget information, which is the basis of spaced repetition.
• 🎓 A 1979 study demonstrated that spaced learning sessions improved long-term retention compared to back-to-back or massed learning sessions.
• 📈 The study showed that students who spaced their learning sessions 30 days apart had better retention than those who did not.
• 🧠 Spaced repetition is not only effective for memorizing vocabulary but also for understanding complex concepts.
• 📉 The forgetting curve can be hacked by using spaced repetition to review information at optimal intervals.
• 📚 Research has consistently shown that spaced repetition improves student performance across various subjects and materials.
• ⏰ The optimal intervals for spaced repetition are yet to be discussed in future videos, but they are crucial for effective learning.
• 📚 Spaced repetition is underutilized by students, often due to a lack of awareness or misconceptions about its effectiveness.
• 🔑 To implement spaced repetition effectively, it's important to find the right balance between intervals that are not too short or too long.

Q & A

What is the forgetting curve?

The forgetting curve is a concept discovered by Hermann Ebbinghaus between 1880 and 1885. It represents the rate at which information is forgotten over time, typically in a logarithmic decay.

How did Ebbinghaus test the forgetting curve?

Ebbinghaus tested the forgetting curve by memorizing meaningless syllables and then testing his recall after different time periods, plotting the results on a graph.

What is space repetition?

Space repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at specific intervals, ideally using active recall, to counteract the forgetting curve and improve long-term retention.

What was the result of the 1979 study on English-Spanish word pairs?

The study found that students who spaced their learning sessions over time performed better in a final test 30 days later compared to those who had back-to-back sessions, with the spaced sessions group increasing their score from 82 to 95 percent.

How does space repetition compare to cramming?

Space repetition is considered the opposite of cramming. It involves reviewing information at optimal intervals to enhance retention, rather than trying to learn everything at once just before an exam.

Why might space repetition not be commonly used by students?

Space repetition might not be commonly used because not many students are aware of it, it can feel less productive due to the need to recall information after some forgetting has occurred, and many textbooks and teaching methods do not encourage spaced practice.

What is the significance of the 2011 study on university statistics courses?

The 2011 study showed that reducing the duration of a course from six months to eight weeks, thereby limiting opportunities for space repetition, negatively affected students' ability to understand and relate statistical concepts.

What did the 2006 research review conclude about space repetition?

The 2006 research review, which included 254 studies with over 14,000 participants, concluded that space repetition significantly improved retention and performance across a wide variety of subjects and materials.

Why is it important to find the optimal interval for space repetition?

Finding the optimal interval for space repetition is important to ensure that the time between reviews is long enough to avoid mindless repetition but short enough to prevent complete forgetting, thus maximizing retention.

How does space repetition help with the retention of complex materials?

Space repetition helps with the retention of complex materials by allowing for the reinforcement of information before it is completely forgotten, which aids in the deeper understanding and long-term recall of concepts.

What is the general utility of distributed practice according to the researchers?

According to the researchers, distributed practice, which includes space repetition, has high utility. It works across different ages, materials, and has been shown to be effective over long delays and with various measurement methods.