Spaced Repetition // The science behind it
Here we will dive into the essence of studying with flashcards — spaced repetition. What is the logic behind it? Is it proven by research? Find out here.
What is spaced repetition? At its core, spaced repetition is a learning technique that is based on one phenomenon -- where information is better retained when it is reviewed at intervals over time rather than through massed repetition. This technique capitalizes on the brain's ability to strengthen memory through repeated exposure to information at strategically spaced intervals. One of the biggest challenges in the life of a student is retaining information long term. During a semester, it is easy to forget things as fast as you learned them. This is a big hurdle when it comes to studying for a big exam, learning a new language, or preparing for a big graduation exam. This is where spaced repetition, an evidence based learning technique, comes in.
What is spaced repetition? It is a learning technique that is based on a single law that was first conceived in 1880s by a Enbinghaus, a German scientist who came up with the “forgetting curve” on how learned information is forgotten over time, and proposed that reviewing informations at several intervals over a period of time can put the information in one’s long term memory. information is better retained when it is reviewed at strategic intervals over time rather than through massed repetition. The intervals at which flashcards appear is determined via an algorithm.
Steps in spaced repetition
- First study session: this is when you study a flashcard for the first time!
- Review: you will review the flashcard and then rate your knowledge on a scale of 1-4
- After each flashcard, you will rate on a scale how well you remembered the answer to the flashcard. On Voovo, you rate it from 1-4 (no idea, guess so, so close, too easy)!
- Based off of your rating, the spaced repetition algorithm will determine how soon in the future you should review the flashcards. If you had no idea then you will review the flashcard very soon. The opposite is the case if you selected “too easy”.
- With each successful review, and higher score you give, the intervals between review sessions of a flashcard will gradually increase. This way, the algorithm will optimize the rate and time at which you study each flashcard so that you will have the highest level of memory retention! Voovo utilizes the Anki-Dolphin algorithm.
