Spaced Learning As An eLearning Strategy

laptop with coffeeA thorough understanding of the human brain is necessary if you want to map out a great elearning strategy. The truth is, the brain is a very powerful and strong. If you used and stimulated correctly, it can increase the learning potential and experience among learners.

When it comes to education, retention, and memory plays an important role in determining whether it is successful or not. If the lessons are successfully stored in the long-term memory vault of the brain, that would benefit the learner for a very long time. This goal is the reason why elearning courses should consider spaced learning as a strategy.

According to a study published on NIH.gov, our memory system if very selective as it goes through various environmental stimuli. The researchers in the study tested that repeated stimuli that is separated by predetermined time spaces improved the recollection of the test subjects. In all the tests conducted, those who went through spaced learning performed better than those who did not go through the same.

Think of our brain as a net. When you submerged it underwater and then lift it, you will not get all the water – but you will get the net wet. The water molecules that get attached to the net is representative of the stimuli that our memory chose to store in the long-term memory vault. You have the power to determine what will be stored in your brain as long as it is taught using the right method – one of which is spaced learning.

The principles of spaced learning is very simple. You deliver the lesson through short bursts over a timed interval. The idea is to keep the learner from cognitive overload and reinforcing the lesson moments after it is taught. It is believed that three sessions with 10-minute breaks should satisfy spaced learning. Make sure that these breaks will keep the minds of the learners from the lesson – to relax it and refresh their minds for the next part of the lesson.

So how can this be implemented in elearning? Here are a couple of tips.

  • Have study breaks. These study breaks should be timed and planned within the whole course. These regular breaks should allow the learners to ponder on what was taught and do certain activities. This is very important for those who are going through asynchronous courses. The learners might breeze through the course and it might compromise the retention of the first few parts of the lesson.
  • Plan when the breaks will happen. Make sure these breaks are not just plotted anywhere. You should time it just after a complex idea is taught. It is also very important that you determine the time and the activity that the learners will do during this break. The activities should allow proper absorption of the previous lesson.
  • Place active recall activities. Apart from the breaks, you have to come up with recall activities that will allow the learners to apply what they learned. Most of the time, application is the best way to check if they understood what was taught and at the same time, enhances retention.
  • Use a variety of presentation strategies. If one part uses slides, the next should utilize a video. Other parts should have audio presentations. The variety will help learners differentiate one lesson from the other. Not only that, it will also help keep the course from being too boring. If you choose the right presentation, you can easily engage the learners to make them more attentive to what is being taught.
  • Stimulate all the senses. This is very important. When you appeal to a lot of senses, you can easily establish an emotional connection that will make retention even more effective. For instance, using the sense of touch during a simulation will stimulate the sense of sight, touch and hearing.

Spaced learning is a great strategy to provide learners with the best elearning experience. Make sure you understand how to maximize it so you will not have a hard time implementing it.

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