Spaced repetition

Spaced repetition is a learning technique in which information is repeated at strategically planned intervals, just as the memory starts to fade. The intervals grow longer as the knowledge becomes better anchored. It rests on the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve (1885) and is one of the most robust findings in cognitive psychology.

People forget most new information within days unless they repeat it. One training session is not enough. Spaced repetition is the most efficient way to secure knowledge over the long term, and it takes less repetition time than massed practice, or cramming.

In safety-critical roles, retaining knowledge over long periods is essential. An operator who learned ATEX procedures but has not applied them for six months is a less reliable judge of them in an emergency. Microlearning series that build in spaced repetition, through an LMS or a mobile app, keep critical knowledge active without demanding much time from the employee.