Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve – How does this tie into learning?

Written by Heather Down
September 18

When I was at SBP Wellington, I learned about Ebbinhaus’s forgetting curve for the first time. I love how I can go somewhere and learn something new. And by the way, I don’t feel at all embarrassed about saying this is the first time I have heard about it, as it encouraged me to keep thinking about it, analyzing how I see this in my practice, as well as being able to connect the dots with all of the other science of teaching techniques I do know!

So what is Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve?

Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve is a concept developed by a German psychologist named Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 19th century. He conducted experiments to understand how we forget information over time. Ebbinghaus found that when we learn something new, we tend to forget it rapidly at first, and then the rate of forgetting gradually slows down. (2023, Growth Engineering)

If you have ever noticed that your child forgets what they learned in school faster than you’d like, or perhaps you’re a teacher struggling to help your students retain information, then understanding Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve can shed light on these challenges and provide valuable insights. This is even more important when working with children who have dyslexia. Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects reading, spelling, and sometimes memory. Children with dyslexia may experience even greater challenges in retaining information due to their unique cognitive profile.

How does the Forgetting Curve impact memory?

Understanding the Forgetting Curve can be important for parents and teachers, as it can reveal the challenges children face when trying to remember what they’ve learned. After a lesson or studying, children might forget a significant portion of the material within hours or days if they don’t review it.

According to the curve, you forget:

50% of all new information within a day.
And 90% of all new information within a week.

(2023, Growth Engineering)

There are certain factors that affect information retention:

Relevance – this is akin to salience, or the fact that what you teach has to have relevance to a student so they take away an experience that goes into memory. For more about Salience for dyslexic learners, see my blog post here.
Time – If learners forget 90% of information within a week, it makes sense to follow up on that new skill or topic you are teaching before this happens!
Presentation – the way you present the information has an impact, so present it logically and clearly for the best opportunity for commitment to memory
Feelings – how we feel has an impact (i.e. feeling calm, safe, and not stressed, as well as having had sufficient sleep.) (2023, Growth Engineering)

What strategies can be used within the classroom?

The good news is that there are effective strategies to combat the Forgetting Curve and help children retain what they’ve learned. Here are some practical tips for parents and teachers:

Spaced Repetition: It’s vital to space out review sessions to support learning. For learners with dyslexia, allow extra time for processing and retention, and provide more repetitions where necessary.
Multisensory Learning: Incorporate multisensory techniques that engage different senses, such as touch, sight, and hearing. These approaches can enhance memory retention.
Structured Learning: Create a structured and predictable learning environment. Learners often thrive with routines that minimise surprises and reduce anxiety.
Positive Reinforcement: Offer positive feedback and encouragement. Building self-esteem can positively impact memory and overall learning experience.
For those with dyslexia, explore Assistive Technology: tools like speech-to-text software, audiobooks, and specialized apps that can assist children with dyslexia in accessing and retaining information.

In conclusion, understanding Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve provides valuable insights for parents and teachers. By implementing strategies and staying patient and persistent, you can help your child overcome the natural tendency to forget and foster long-lasting memory retention. Remember, learning is a journey, and with the right tools, you can make it an enjoyable and memorable one.