4 ms·
Something that I keep meaning to dive more on here, is an exploration of why spaced repetition and active recall work. I saw a study once that indicated it was
by taeric 1y ago
Something that I keep meaning to dive more on here, is an exploration of why spaced repetition and active recall work. I saw a study once that indicated it was largely the "guess and check" aspect of combining these that worked.
That is, some people will approach spaced repetition as a means to re-consume the information. But, sadly, that doesn't really work. Instead, those that use it as a means to attempt active recall, effectively "guessing" the answer and then immediately checking that result do see massive gains.
To that end, I'm curious if this describes your approach when it works?
- Alifatisk 1y agoI think it works because if you see your memories in the brain as a road, it will make sense. Any memory or association you create between two things builds a tiny little road. Your brain scales that road based on how much you use it. Any time you recall that memory by repetition, the road gets stronger, the stronger it is, the more persistent it stays as memory. If you don't use it at all, then at the end, it will get demolished to free the space (you forget). That is the mental model I have of it, I don't know how accurate it is though.
- taeric 1y agoMy point was that just seeing the road is not enough to remember it, it seems. You have to predict what is at the end of the road, as well. This is why "flash cards" have the question on one side and the answer on the other. If you just looked at all on one side, then you lose retention. I think the idea is that you want to get your mind trained to create the answer based on the prompt. You don't, necessarily, remember the answer and the prompt, together. Instead, you want you mind to be able to make the answer.