The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve states that learners forget 90% of what they’ve learned within the first month if their learning isn’t properly reinforced. Founded by psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, this curve theorizes that humans exponentially lose memory of learned knowledge in a matter of days or weeks unless material is continuously reviewed.
Key Points
- Formulated by psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, the Forgetting Curve demonstrates that learners lose approximately 90% of newly acquired information within one month if learning is not reinforced.
- Memory retention begins at 100% immediately following a training event and experiences its sharpest drop down to 40% within the first few days.
- Organizations can counteract natural memory decay by implementing pre- and post-training reinforcement activities surrounding core instructional programs.
- Effective reinforcement tactics include reading informational articles, completing eLearning modules, watching educational videos, keeping learning journals, and utilizing job aids.
This theory is relevant in the context of employee learning and development (L&D) because it underscores the importance of learning reinforcement. When planning a training program, organizations should utilize a comprehensive approach that offers opportunities for learning reinforcement to solidify understandings.
Ready to learn more about the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve? Let’s dive into what it is, why it’s important, and how to combat it through learning reinforcement.
What Is The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve?
The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve states that learners forget 90% of what they’ve learned within the first month if their learning isn’t properly reinforced. Founded by psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, this curve theorizes that humans exponentially lose memory of learned knowledge in a matter of days or weeks unless material is continuously reviewed.
The curve demonstrates that memory retention is 100% at the time of learning, then drops rapidly to 40% within the first few days. Following this quick drop, a learner’s decline of memory retention slows down from then on.
This theory is relevant in the context of employee learning and development (L&D) because it underscores the importance of learning reinforcement. When planning a training program, organizations should utilize a comprehensive approach that offers opportunities for learning reinforcement to solidify understandings.
Combat The Forgetting Curve Through Learning Reinforcement
The good news is that learning reinforcement counteracts this curve and ensures learners retain information long-term. Learning reinforcement helps employees retain information for longer periods of time, meet learning objectives, and discover how to continually apply their new knowledge to their role.
Learning reinforcement comes in the form of both pre- and post-work activities that surround the main portion of a training program. These activities could include:
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- Reading informational articles
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- Watching educational videos
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- Completing eLearning modules
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- Writing in a learning journal
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- Completing a conversation guide with a partner
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- Referring to detailed job aids
Training is not a one-and-done solution. With a blended learning program, multiple learning activities are utilized that reinforce critical ideas and concepts. This way, organizations can implement training that engages their workforce and yields long-term results regarding retention.
To sum it up, the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve highlights the natural decline in memory retention over time, emphasizing the crucial role of learning reinforcement in employee development. To combat this curve and ensure lasting knowledge retention, organizations should adopt a comprehensive approach that includes pre- and post-work activities.
Ready to fortify your training programs against the Forgetting Curve and enhance your employees’ learning journeys? Contact us today to explore how our tailored solutions can make a lasting impact on your organization’s learning and development efforts.
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