What is the Forgetting Curve?
Definition
The forgetting curve is a model of memory decline over time, first described by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus in 1885. His experiments showed that without reinforcement, we forget approximately 70% of new information within 24 hours and up to 90% within a week. The curve demonstrates that memory retention drops exponentially after initial learning.
Why it matters
The forgetting curve explains why traditional training workshops don't produce lasting behavior change. When a company invests thousands of dollars in a full-day seminar, participants forget most of the content before they even return to work the next day. Understanding this curve is essential for any L&D leader who wants their training investments to actually stick.
How to apply it
Combat the forgetting curve with spaced repetition and daily reinforcement. Instead of a single intensive training event, distribute learning across many small sessions over weeks and months. Each review session 'resets' the forgetting curve, making the memory stronger and more durable. Pair this with practical application — having learners apply concepts in real work situations cements learning far more effectively than passive review.
How Uply helps
Uply's 2-minute daily practice is specifically designed to fight the forgetting curve. By delivering bite-sized learning every workday, Uply ensures that key soft skills concepts are reinforced before they fade.
Related terms
Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is a learning technique where information is reviewed at gradually increasing intervals — for example, after 1 day, then 3 days, then 7 days, then 14 days.
Microlearning
Microlearning is an approach to training that delivers content in short, focused bursts — typically 2 to 10 minutes.
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