In the 1880s, German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus conducted experiments on human memory and came up with a hypothesis called the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve, which described how quickly people forget new information.

People tend to forget much of what they learn—especially if they don't immediately apply the new information and skills. In this article, I will show you how to combat the forgetting curve of and through microlearning.

Why do employees forget what they learned in training?

In the 1880s, German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus (Hermann Ebbinghaus) conducted experiments on human memory and proposed a hypothesis called Ebbinghausthe forgetting curve, which explained how people How quickly new information is forgotten. If learned learning is not applied, people may forget 80% of what they learn within 30 days!

The forgetting curve is affected by the following factors:

• Pace and duration - Fast-paced teaching in a short period of time will steepen the forgetting curve.
• Information volume - A large amount of information shared in a short period of time increases the forgetting curve.

On the other hand,

• Frequent and consistent spaced practice – Spaced practice tends to reduce the forgetting curve.
• Environmental Factors – Better-rested learners have greater retention capacity, mitigating the forgetting curve.

What is the meaning of the forgetting curve?

Learners are bombarded with information. Corporate training teams are faced with the reality that employers need employees on the job as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this often triggers the forgetting curve.

Time-consuming training programs lead to diminishing returns on investment. Employees are less productive due to a steep forgetting curve and are forced to find answers to their problems on their own.

How to overcome the forgetting curve in employee training programs?

Enterprises can overcome the forgetting curve by cultivating a healthy learning and performance ecosystem and providing rich microlearning options.

The following teaching principles form the foundation of a sound learning and performance ecosystem.

1. Activate previous knowledge to lay a solid foundation for building new knowledge.
2. Build a shared knowledge base with learning solutions that can build new behaviors . Employee training programs, whether formal or informal (using microlearning strategies), will have a starting point from which to build upon.
3. uses guided instruction, practice, assessment, and remediation techniques to help overcome the forgetting curve. Additionally, cognitive load is minimized by excluding irrelevant information.
4. uses the learn, apply and feedback loop to reduce the impact of the forgetting curve. As employees learn, they should have opportunities to immediately apply what they learn and receive feedback from coaches.
5. Utilize informal learning outside of formal employee learning programs and microlearning. A healthy learning and performance ecosystem supports and encourages informal learning as employees self-direct and curate content.

What microlearning methods can be used to combat the forgetting curve?

Microlearning can be used very effectively to combat the forgetting curve, as shown below:

1. Use rapid microlearning to review content more formally covered in employee learning plans and update prior knowledge.
2. Inform employees with targeted, formulaic, and brief microlearning text or video objects as you update old processes.
3. combines formal employee learning plans with distributed microlearning objects, building a hierarchy of instructor-led courses, practices, and microlearning objects that employees can reference.
4. Self-directed learning is often more powerful than traditional employee learning programs when it comes to overcoming the forgetting curve.Provide an environment where employees can find new information and organize what they find in a way that can be shared with colleagues.
5. Interval learning is an effective method to overcome the forgetting curve. Provide additional microlearning and hands-on opportunities regularly in employee learning programs. This will help reinforce what employees have learned and solidify their ability to recall information when needed.

How to use microlearning to enhance learning?

Finally, use these microlearning examples to enhance learning and eliminate the forgetting curve:

1. Short videos can be an engaging way to present new information or review information covered in a formal employee learning program.
2. Infographics refresh important information at a glance, such as product knowledge or process workflows.
3. Animation and narrated videos can quickly engage learners and bring them into rapid learning opportunities.
4. Messages from leadership in text, video, and even audio formats can formalize new processes and help employees quickly understand the big picture behind any new process or policy.
5. Short scenarios can be used to practice and apply what you have learned. Feedback can be used to enhance primary learning.
6. Encourage expert video tips where SMEs can break down complex processes into small, consumable modules that employees can watch when needed.

Acknowledging the forgetting curve creates a space that incorporates microlearning to create a powerful and effective learning and performance ecosystem for employee learning initiatives.

(original source: Asha Pandey, translation: LLtube, the same number across the entire network)

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