Programmed Repetition technique—a step forward in learning?#

A more powerful way to manage the repetition process is to use some specific software. One example of this software is SuperMemo.

In SuperMemo, you enter knowledge in a question-answer format, and then it replays that material back to you regularly. The time (in days) between those repetitions depends on how well you recall the answer.

You can set a “percentage retention level,” and the software works out the right review calendar to help you preserve your knowledge at this level. The default is ninety-five percent!

You aim to use the tool once a day for a few minutes. The time varies depending on how much new material you are learning and how challenging it is.

How does it work? The software uses complex algorithms that model how a typical person remembers and forgets knowledge. Based on how well you feel you answered a question, it works out when to next ask you the question again. If you recall the answer “well” or “brightly,” then it increases the time it waits until it asks you again. If your recall of the answer is “OK,” “poor” or “complete blank,” then it asks you more often until you do start to remember it. The software also adjusts its algorithms to match your particular learning performance and the difficulty of the material you are learning.

Using a tool like this does take some work, however I believe this to be one of the most effective ways to remember information for the long term. Given our current understanding of the brain, I believe we will rely more on software like this in the future. We will use it to help us both learn and remember new information. One day we may see using tools like SuperMemo as important as regular exercise. The difference between those who do and don’t “work out” will be obvious!

Tips for using SuperMemo#

The online documentation that comes with SuperMemo is more than enough to get you up and running quickly. Here are a few more tips from my own use of the software:

• Start early. Start using it earlier, rather than later, in the Memletic Process. For example, start capturing key points into SuperMemo during the Explore step, and build up the knowledge as you progress.

• Include review material. Incorporate the outcomes of your reviews into SuperMemo. If you are having difficulty with a particular topic, break down that topic into more detail.

• Use it as a reminder tool. Use it to remind you to review certain topics, such as reminding you to use a simulator and practice a particular procedure.

• Use it for assertions. You don’t have to use it as just a question-answer tool. You can also use it to help you repeat assertions. Rate each assertion by how well you have achieved the outcome you want. You may want to keep your assertion collection separate from your general learning collection. This is because you rate an assertion differently to how you rate an answer to a question.

• Use for goals. Include scripts, images, photographs, sounds and videos that remind you of your goals.

• Include techniques as well as content. Build in your associations, visualizations and other techniques as well, not just the core content you are memorizing.

• Don’t go overboard! Build up your use of the tool over time. Find what works and doesn’t work for you. Don’t try to load in one thousand items in the first week for example.