Recertification - The Forgetting Curve

Research has shown that learners rapidly lose memory of newly learnt knowledge within a matter of days or weeks. Some studies suggest that we forget about 50% of new information within one hour of learning it, and that this can increase to around 70% within 24 hours.

The Forgetting Curve is a mathematical formula, first discovered in 1885 by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus and the pattern is common to us all. Research shows the biggest cause of forgetting is not using newly acquired skills, by not putting it into working practice.

The Forgetting Curve demonstrates that learners rapidly lose memory of newly learnt knowledge, unless the information is consciously reviewed.  Ebbinghaus researched ways to overcome the curve and discovered that the downward slope of The Forgetting Curve, can be softened by repeating the learnt information at separate stages. This method is known as “spaced repetition”, where learnt material is reviewed after increasingly large time gaps.

To maximise a Return of Investment (ROI) of the time and money spent on training, organisational leadership can work to reduce the impact of the Forgetting Curve.  If the biggest identified cause of forgetting is not putting new learning into working practice, consider how can this be softened.

Managers can play a huge role in maximising ROI, when a manager attends NAPPI training they have the skills to support the transfer of learning from the training room into working practice.

1. immediately after training
2. 24 hours after training  
3. one week after training
4. one month after training

Managers are welcome onto all NAPPI courses, but we also provide training aimed at Leaders and Managers, to support the embedding of NAPPI training into working practice, thus improving the Quality of Life of those we support.