When something is memorized, it tends to be forgotten quickly, as we don’t interact deeply or repeatedly with the content. In this case, the brain tends to erase information that isn’t linked to an experience or was only seen in a superficial way. This is known as the forgetting curve: the process through which learned content gradually fades away.
The more intense a memory is for individuals, the longer it lasts, but reinforcing and reviewing the content is still necessary to achieve greater retention over time. The term was coined by Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist, in his book “Uber das Gediichtnis: Untersuchungen zur experimentellen Psychologie.”
Ebbinghaus determined that, one day after studying and not reviewing the content, up to 50% of the material read can be forgotten; two days later, the maximum remembered is 30%, and after seven days without reviewing the information, only about 3% can be recalled. His conclusion? Often, what is learned needs to be revisited and practiced to maintain it; otherwise, it fades away.
Why do we forget what we learn?
The brain decides to avoid overwhelming individuals with information. It selects topics of interest, what can be related to past experiences, or what has been reviewed repeatedly. Thus, the brain understands what is of great importance and should not be erased.
For information to be retained to a high percentage, two key factors are needed: quality learning and repetition.
Principle of the spaced repetition system
Following the same paradigm coined by Ebbinghaus, the best way to review information is under the principle of the spaced repetition system. This method suggests that the best time to revisit information is when you are about to forget it, at regular intervals.
Today, this task is very easy thanks to the presence of mobile devices. A click is enough to access information and review it as many times as needed. In summary, the more information is reviewed, the more it will be stored in long-term memory, and the forgetting curve will become less pronounced over time.
Schema Theory
But the information that is reviewed and to be memorized must have some meaning: be linked to our interests or past experiences. This is according to the studies of Frederick Bartlett, a British psychologist and a precursor of contemporary cognitive psychology.
This process is known as Schema Theory, which suggests that memories and thoughts are mental reconstructions based on factors such as social and emotional interests. Only in this way can a real connection be achieved with what is being experienced, as the information stored in the brain influences the processing of new knowledge we acquire.
Today, Mobile Learning is ready to address the challenges of learning and become the future of workplace learning. At Closelly, we use gamification, microlearning, and other methodologies to flatten the forgetting curve.
