Use it or lose it! Work with the forgetting curve.

Hermann Ebbinghaus’ research created the visual representation of the forgetting curve (how we forget learned information over time). Some key points about our memory reinforced by his research:

• We remember something more if we tie emotion and meaning to it
• We remember it easier if the content was presented in a way that was organised and interactive
• We remember more when we are calm and well rested.

(These are all good reminders about how we create great training!)

But also, we need to be aware that the research showed…

• If we don’t use or relearning information, as time passes we will remember less of it.
• The largest drop in what we remember happens soon after learning it – meaning that a training program can be great, but if we don’t get a chance to apply things ASAP, a lot of that effort, time and money is going to waste.

So what does this mean for developing, delivering and benefiting from training?

We can do things to structure the learning before, during and after training to promote opportunities for relearning and using it. Small changes that reap big rewards:

• Pre-loading learners with introductory information, so they can tune in more easily once they start the new and harder learning
• Building in multiple opportunities to talk about and use a skill, increasing the likelihood it will be remembered. This is shown the in curve below – with the green lines showing the effect of relearning/using the same thing multiple times
• Making sure that after the course a person has opportunities to apply the learning ASAP – whether this be in a project/task for their job role, a scheduled exercise, teaching others something they have learned, or participating in a follow up session.