phase-6 system of repetition

Forget about forgetting. The reality is that on average, over a period of a couple of weeks the human brain forgets about 80% of what has been learned. This is particularly true in the area of vocabulary development and acquisition.

phase-6 is a unique solution that assists learners  in locking vocabulary into long-term memory by making use of multimedia flash cards. The phase-6 system is modeled after research findings from German brain researcher Hermann Ebbinghaus and his “Forgetting Curve” theory. Over a century old, the Forgetting Curve theory has clearly stood the test of time and has been validated in hundreds of dissertations and follow-up studies.

The curve depicts that, in the long run, only about 20% of information is retained after initial memorization. Repetitions at exponentially increasing time intervals strengthen synaptic connections in the brain and thus counteract the process of forgetting. After knowing the correct answer five times in a row, the studied item will be locked into long-term memory. At the same time, short-term retention (e.g. for the next test) is ensured thanks to more frequent repetitions at earlier stages of practice.

“… practice that is distributed over longer periods of time sustains meaning and consolidates the learnings into long-term storage in a form that will ensure accurate recall and applications in the future.
… Effective practice, then, starts with massed practice for fast learning and proceeds to distributed practice later for retention.”

Reference: David A. Sousa (2006) How the Brain Learns, 3rd edition, Corwin Press, page 99+100.

The famous Bloom’s Taxonomy is a multi-tiered model that classifies thinking according to six cognitive levels of complexity. Since the taxonomy is hierarchical, i.e. each level is subsumed by the higher levels, mastery of the lower level learning objectives form the basis for higher, more complex levels of thought.

phase-6 targets specifically the base of Bloom´s Taxonomy – the knowledge level.

Effective mastery of this foundational level is critical for students to be able to reach their fullest potential in higher order thinking and skills. Systematically spaced reinforcement based on the Ebbinghaus theory ensures long-term retention and thus freeing cognitive space for efficient complex problem solving and thought processes.

phase-6 fosters automaticity which ensures accurate recollection in the future, and allows learners to fully concentrate on higher level learning objectives.