Whitepaper: summary of research

Findings on spaced repetition / spaced learning

Spacing Learning Events Over Time: What the Research Says

This independent report gives an overview of research findings on the spacing effect and related learning factors based on more than 100 articles published in preeminent journals in the fields of memory, learning, and instruction.

In sum, Dr. Thalheimer’s review of the research landscape indicates clearly that spacing learning over time produces substantial learning benefits and that spaced-repetition effect are particularly noteworthy given the enormous research literature supporting their use.

Here is a selection of key findings highlighted in the whitepaper:

1. Repetitions—if well designed—are very effective in supporting learning.
    
2. Spaced repetitions are generally more effective than non-spaced repetitions.
    
3. Both presentations of learning material and retrieval practice opportunities produce benefits when utilized as spaced repetitions.
    
4. Spacing is particularly beneficial if long-term retention is the goal—as is true of most training situations. Spacing helps minimize forgetting.
    
5. One way to utilize spacing is to change the definition of a learning event to include the connotation that learning takes place over time—real learning doesn’t usually occur in one-time events.