Spaced repetition is a memorization technique that is based on the psychological principle that, by distributing the learning of information over time, retention is reinforced and the retrieval of data stored in memory is facilitated long-term. This strategy has gained popularity in the educational field and in personal development, since it has been shown to be an effective way to improve the ability to remember information in a more lasting and efficient way.
What is spaced repetition?
Spaced repetition, also known as distributed review or spaced repetition in English, involves reviewing the information you want to remember at specific time intervals and growing. Instead of studying material intensively for a short period of time and then forgetting it, spaced repetition proposes reviewing the information gradually and systematically to reinforce its storage in long-term memory.
Principle of the forgetting curve
Spaced repetition is based on the principle of the forgetting curve, which was developed by the German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus at the end of the 19th century. Ebbinghaus discovered that we forget information exponentially over time, that is, we tend to lose memory of content more quickly at first and then more slowly as time passes.
Through spaced repetition, the aim is to counteract this process of progressive forgetting by scheduling reminders of information at specific times, just before significant forgetting occurs. In this way, memory is reinforced and the neural connections associated with learning the desired information are strengthened.
Benefits of spaced repetition
Use spaced repetition as a memorization technique offers a series of benefits over traditional study methods:
Greater long-term retention
By distributing learning spaced over time, the consolidation of information is improved in long-term memory. This means that you have a greater probability of remembering the learned concepts in the long term, instead of forgetting them quickly as happens with intensive short-term memorization.
Saving time and effort
Spaced repetition allows information to be remembered more efficiently, since it focuses on reinforcing content that is at risk of being forgotten. In this way, the time dedicated to studying is optimized and the unnecessary effort of constantly reviewing concepts already consolidated in memory is avoided.
Personalization of learning
This memorization technique adapts to the individual needs of each person, as it allows the review intervals to be adjusted depending on the difficulty and familiarity with the material. In this way, the learning process can be optimized according to the abilities and pace of each student.
How to implement spaced repetition in the study
To use spaced repetition in a way effective in the memorization process, it is important to follow a series of steps and guidelines:
1. Identify the information to remember
The first step is to clearly identify what information you want to memorize. These may be definitions, concepts, important dates, mathematical formulas, vocabulary in another language, among other types of knowledge.
2. Organizing information into fragments
Dividing information into smaller fragments or units makes it easier to assimilate and later memorize. It is more effective to memorize small portions of information gradually than to try to remember large amounts of data at once.
3. Establish review intervals
Once the fragments of information have been identified, it is important to plan the time intervals in which the reviews will be carried out. These intervals should be short at first and then increase progressively, following the principle of spaced repetition.
4. Use support tools
There are various tools and applications that facilitate the implementation of the spaced repetition technique, such as Anki, Quizlet or Memrise. These platforms allow you to create memory cards with questions and answers, and schedule review intervals automatically.
5. Be consistent and disciplined
The key to success in spaced repetition lies in consistency and discipline in following the established review plan. It is essential to review information regularly and not procrastinate, as this could weaken the memory consolidation process.
6. Adapt the technique to individual needs
Each person has a particular learning style and cognitive abilities, so it is important to adapt the spaced repetition technique to individual needs and preferences. Experimenting with different review intervals and memorization strategies can help find the most effective methodology for each person.
Conclusions
In summary, spaced repetition is an effective technique for improving memory. lasting memorization and learning of information. By distributing the review of content over time, the neural connections associated with long-term memory are reinforced and information retention is optimized.
To successfully implement spaced repetition in the study, it is essential to clearly identify the information to be remembered, organize it into small fragments, establish progressive review intervals, use support tools, be constant in the reviews and adapt the technique to the individual needs of each person.
In short, spaced repetition is a powerful tool that can enhance academic performance, work productivity and personal development, by allowing knowledge to be consolidated effectively and sustainably over time.