Massedpractice

Massed practice is a learning technique that involves studying or practicing a skill for a long, continuous period. This approach is often contrasted with distributed practice, which involves breaking up study sessions into shorter, more frequent intervals spread over time. Massed practice can be effective for cramming or quickly acquiring information for a short-term goal, such as an exam that is happening soon.

The primary advantage of massed practice is its efficiency in terms of time commitment. When faced with a deadline, learners may opt for massed practice to absorb as much material as possible in a limited window. This method can lead to a rapid, albeit sometimes superficial, understanding of the subject matter. It can also be useful for tasks that require immediate recall or performance, like learning lines for a play that opens in a few days.

However, massed practice has significant drawbacks. Research in learning and memory suggests that it is generally less effective for long-term retention compared to distributed practice. The lack of rest and spaced repetition can lead to cognitive fatigue, reduced encoding of information into long-term memory, and poorer transfer of knowledge to new contexts. While a learner might perform well immediately after a massed practice session, the memory of the material is likely to fade more quickly.

In summary, massed practice is a strategy of intense, prolonged study or practice. It offers speed and can be beneficial for short-term objectives, but it often comes at the expense of durable learning and long-term retention.