Spaced Repetition memory technique How to use it with Example

 

Spaced Repetition is a memory technique where you space out the intervals between studying, with the idea that by revisiting the information at increasing intervals, it will be more firmly implanted into your long-term memory. It's a method to optimize your time and effort, as you are studying what you are more likely to forget, when you are more likely to forget it.

Here's an overview of how to use Spaced Repetition and some best practices and cautions:

Steps to use Spaced Repetition:

1. Identify what you want to memorize: This can be anything from vocabulary words to historical events to formulas
2. Schedule initial review: Review the material as soon as you learn it.
3. Schedule follow-up reviews: After the initial review schedule follow-up reviews at increasing intervals. For example, you might review the material again after one day, then again after a week, and then again after a month.
4. Track your progress: Keep track of which material you have memorized and which material you still need to work on.
5. Adjust intervals: As you progress and become more familiar with the material, you can adjust the intervals to suit your needs.

Best Uses:

• Spaced repetition is best used for memorizing large amounts of information, such as vocabulary words or historical events.
• Spaced repetition is also useful for studying subjects where there is a lot of memorization involved, such as foreign languages, math, and science.
• Spaced repetition is great for self-study and can be used to prepare for exams and quizzes.

Cautions:

• The method requires careful planning and scheduling.
• Spaced repetition can be ineffective if not used properly. It's important to review the material regularly and not just cram it all in before an exam.
• Spaced repetition can be less effective if not combined with active engagement techniques such as elaboration, self-explanation, and understanding of the material.
• It's important to use appropriate intervals for each piece of information, if the interval is too short, you might not retain the information and if it's too long, you might forget the information before the next review.

In summary, Spaced Repetition is a powerful memory technique that can help you memorize large amounts of information more efficiently and effectively, if used correctly. It's important to use the method in conjunction with active engagement techniques such as elaboration, self-explanation.

 

Practical example 

 how spaced repetition can be used to learn a new language:

1. Identify what you want to memorize: In this case, let's say you're learning Spanish and you want to memorize vocabulary words.

2. Schedule initial review: As soon as you learn a new vocabulary word, review it. You can do this by writing the word, looking at the translation and saying the word aloud.

3. Schedule follow-up reviews: Schedule follow-up reviews for the new vocabulary words after one day, then again after a week, and then again after a month.

4. Track your progress: Keep track of which vocabulary words you have memorized and which vocabulary words you still need to work on.

5. Adjust intervals: As you progress and become more familiar with the vocabulary words, you can adjust the intervals to suit your needs. For example, if you find that you can remember the word "perro" (dog) after two weeks, you can lengthen the interval to every three weeks, but if you are still struggling with the word "gato" (cat), you might need to review it more frequently, such as every 4 days.

By using spaced repetition, you can memorize new vocabulary words more efficiently and effectively. Additionally, you can track your progress and adjust intervals as you see fit, which is important as each person has different pacing in learning, spaced repetition allows you to adjust to your own pace.