spacedpractice

Spaced practice, also known as spaced repetition or distributed practice, is a learning technique that involves reviewing material at increasing intervals over time. Instead of cramming information all at once, spaced practice distributes study sessions across longer periods. This method is based on the principle that recalling information after a certain delay strengthens memory retention more effectively than repeated immediate recall.

The effectiveness of spaced practice stems from the "spacing effect," a phenomenon observed in cognitive psychology. When a person revisits learned material at optimal intervals, their brain is forced to work harder to retrieve that information. This effortful retrieval process, rather than passive re-reading, leads to more durable and long-lasting memories. The intervals between study sessions are gradually increased, moving from short periods (e.g., hours) to longer ones (e.g., days, weeks, months) as the learner becomes more proficient with the material.

Spaced practice is widely applied in various educational settings, from language learning and memorizing facts to mastering complex subjects. It is often implemented through flashcard systems, such as Anki or Quizlet, where algorithms schedule the review of cards based on the user's performance. By optimizing the timing of review sessions, learners can improve their ability to recall information and reduce the amount of time needed for effective learning compared to massed practice, which involves studying the same material intensively over a short period. This approach aims to combat the forgetting curve by strategically reinforcing memories before they decay.