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Spaced Repetition: Remembering What You Learn
centre@kpu.ca 1 of 2 Learning Aid
What is spaced repetition?
Spaced repetition is a method of reviewing material at systematic intervals. At the beginning of the
learning process, the intervals are spaced closely together (for example, one hour; four hours; one
day). As the material is reviewed, the intervals become systematically longer (four days; one week;
two weeks). An ideal system of spaced repetition allows you to review the material before it is
forgotten, helping you to retain it in your long term memory.
Spaced repetition is in many ways the opposite of "cramming". Rather than learning information in a
short time period, which can lead to quick forgetting, spaced repetition focuses on long-term retention
of new information. For example, if you learned material from a textbook chapter in the first week of
the semester, you would want to review it on a regular schedule – perhaps the second, fourth, eighth,
and last weeks of the semester in order to retain the information in your long-term memory.
How is spaced repetition effective?
Repeatedly encountering material at a spaced interval is more effective than reviewing the
material multiple times in the same study session.
Spaced repetition reduces the forgetting that occurs when material is not encountered for a
significant time period.
Spaced repetition involves actively recalling learned material, which supports learning. Also, if an
item is forgotten, you are prompted to use a more effective learning strategy to retain the
information for later reviews.
How can I use spaced repetition in my study?
Spaced repetition is especially effective for courses where you are required to memorize a significant
amount of new information – for example, vocabulary for a language course, or definitions for a
psychology or biology course. Flashcards, paper or electronic, can be a particularly useful tool as part
of a spaced repetition system using one of the following methods.
1. The "Box Method": When you create a new flashcard, place it in the first box. At your next review
session, if you correctly recall the information, move the card to the second box, which is reviewed
less frequently. Cards in the second box which are correctly recalled after a longer time period are
moved into a third box, and so forth. If a card in a later box is forgotten, move it back to an earlier box
for more frequent review or relearning.
2. Spaced repetition software: Computer and smartphone applications can be a helpful tool for
developing digital flashcard sets. One advantage is that the software can help to take care of the
spacing interval for each flashcard, presenting you with the items you need to learn and review each
day. There are several spaced repetition programs available: Anki (http://ankisrs.net) and Memorang
(https://www.memorangapp.com) are both good choices. You may find other apps online and can
make your choice depending on your device.
Adapted from: Thalheimer, W. (2006, February). Spacing learning events over time: What the research says. Retrieved
from http://www.phase-6.de/system/galleries/download/lernsoftware/Spacing_Learning_Over_Time__March2009v1_.pdf