Spaced Repetition: The Science Behind Lasting Learning

Have you ever crammed for a test, passed it, and then forgotten everything a week later? You're not alone. Research in cognitive science has shown that our brains are not designed to absorb large amounts of information in a single sitting.

What Is Spaced Repetition?

Spaced repetition is a learning technique where you review information at gradually increasing intervals. Instead of studying the same material ten times in one evening, you review it once today, once tomorrow, once in three days, and once a week later.

This method is based on the forgetting curve, first described by Hermann Ebbinghaus in 1885. The forgetting curve shows that memories decay exponentially — but each review strengthens the memory, making it last longer.

The Leitner System

One of the most practical implementations of spaced repetition is the Leitner system, which uses boxes to categorize flashcards:

• Box 1: Review every day (new or difficult cards)
• Box 2: Review every 2 days
• Box 3: Review every 4 days
• Box 4: Review weekly
• Box 5: Mastered

When you answer correctly, the card moves to the next box. Get it wrong, and it goes back to Box 1. This simple system ensures you spend the most time on what you find hardest.

Why It Works for Children

Children benefit enormously from spaced repetition because:

1. Short sessions prevent fatigue — 10-15 minute review sessions are more effective than hour-long study marathons
2. Progress is visible — moving cards between boxes gives a tangible sense of achievement
3. It builds study habits — regular, short sessions create a sustainable routine

How EduBoost Uses Spaced Repetition

Our platform automatically creates review cards from completed exercises and quizzes. The spaced repetition system tracks each card's history and schedules reviews at the optimal time. Students can see their review dashboard showing how many cards are due and their mastery level across subjects.

The best part? It all happens in the background. Students just need to complete their daily review session, and the algorithm handles the rest.