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Ebbinghaus called this spaced-review and repetition spaced-repetition learning . It is now referred to as time- spaced learning . Experts agree that people learn and retain information better when they study it a few times over a period of time, rather than intensely, once or twice, in a short period . If you want to improve your retention and take a lot of stress out of learning, it’s worth a try! Time-spaced learning is the “anti-cram.” To cram means to study very hard, with urgency, often for long hours just before a test or quiz. In spite of the fact that learning experts have repeatedly shown that cramming is stressful and doesn’t work well, students continue to do it. Time-spaced learning is the anti -cram. Instead of learning the material once in class or as homework, then returning for an intense and often painful marathon review session before a test or quiz, time-spaced learning takes place in several short reviews at intervals spread over time . Overall, time-spaced learners and crammers spend about the same amount of time studying, but time-spaced learning is a far more productive use of time . (Just check out the Forgetting Curve diagrams!) For students in the habit of cramming, time-spaced learning requires a change of study habits, but it’s worth doing and not hard to learn. PRODUCT PREVIEW In fact, time-spaced learning fits easily with a busy high school schedule. Yes, ten (focused) minutes on the bus is enough time to review an algebra formula. Got just twenty minutes before practice? Fifteen minutes at breakfast? No problem! Whip out your notes or flash cards and review. With time-spaced learning you do not need a large chunk of time to study effectively, but you must review at frequent, spaced intervals. Why does time-spaced learning work so well? Quantity: Memory studies have shown that the human brain can only handle so many ideas at one time. (Duh!) Time-spaced learning limits the focus to less information, reviewed more frequently. Rather than trying to master an entire month’s worth of information two nights before a quiz, time-spaced learners progressively master small, bite-sized amounts of content , adding to it over time, until Brainy has successfully digested all of it. Repetition at Intervals: At the heart of time-spaced learning is repetition at intervals . To begin, information must be reviewed as soon as possible after learning it. For example, if you learned a difficult skill in algebra, review it immediately in your head, or with a friend as you walk to your next class . Recall and reflect on the main points of what you learned. Review the information again that day, and the following two days as part of your normal homework routine. Create a mnemonic if it’s the kind of information that works with a mnemonic prompt. Then start to space reviews farther and
Chapter 19 | Meet the Anti-Cram: Time-Spaced Learning 166
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