What is the forgetting curve?
In the late 19th century, a pioneering study by the German scientist Hermann Ebbinghaus revealed key insights into how memory works. His research aimed to understand how long individuals could retain information that they didn’t actively use. The findings led to the development of the forgetting curve, a concept illustrating how quickly we tend to forget information over time if we don’t actively engage with it. Ebbinghaus discovered that information retention remains significantly higher when the material is reviewed periodically. Therefore, the more actively the knowledge is applied, the less steep the forgetting curve is.
Importance of learning retention in tech teams
Studies reveal people tend to forget about 50% of new information within an hour. After a day, this figure rises to 70%, and by the end of a week, we forget up to 90% of what we learned. This highlights a crucial aspect of designing effective training programs for tech teams who find themselves in the middle of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. L&D teams need to counteract this tendency to forget and incorporate strategies in their upskilling training programs to enhance learning retention. It’s imperative to address the forgetting curve and ensure tech teams are well-prepared to excel in the dynamic field of technology.
Strategies to overcome the forgetting curve
The forgetting curve can be a nuance for tech teams because they have to maintain their proficiency of technical skills and knowledge in this field where technological advancements are always taking place. Given the pace at which technology advances, what was learned today might need to be applied months later, but by then, the details would have likely begun to fade from memory. For this reason, L&D teams must incorporate strategies in their training programs that ensure knowledge is acquired and also retained over time. We’ve compiled some of the best strategies that can help tech teams combat the forgetting curve.
Keep the information relevant
Reinforce the material regularly
Practice hands-on learning experience
Promote a learning culture
Keep the information relevant
For training to be effective, it must resonate with the learner’s daily tasks and challenges. The focus should be on aligning learning goals with practical applications that bolster job performance. The relevance ensures that the training engages tech teams with tangible skills to improve their work efficiency. When training programs mirror recent trends and technological developments, team members understand how their learning affects their immediate work and future tasks. This significantly improves involvement and memory retention. For example, a software development team can hold regular sprints to reflect on the most recent updates and then evaluate what worked and what didn’t. This helps identify the areas where the focus should be shifted.
Reinforce the material regularly
In the tech world, where new techniques and tools are constantly introduced, L&D teams are required to ensure that tech teams are not only up-to-date with the latest information but are also able to retain all the new information acquired. This issue is addressed by putting in consistent effort to refresh their knowledge. A tech team at a software development company can hold biweekly review meetings to discuss recent projects and lessons learned. During these sessions, team members revisit key concepts, technologies, and methodologies used in their projects, ensuring that the knowledge remains fresh in their minds. When tech teams are repeatedly exposed to information in different ways, it cements that knowledge in their minds, which makes it easier to remember when needed. This method improves the retention of information and also ensures that teams remain flexible and ready to face new problems confidently, keeping essential skills and knowledge readily accessible.
Practice hands-on learning experience
Another strategy to overcome the forgetting curve in tech teams is shifting the focus toward active learning through direct experience. Tech teams at companies like Tesla or SpaceX often work on projects that directly apply new technologies and innovative solutions in practical scenarios, which helps reinforce their learning and understanding of complex concepts. This approach is beneficial in turning theoretical knowledge into practical abilities, which directly helps retain the learned material for longer periods.
Promote a learning culture
When an organization cultivates a culture of continuous learning, tech team members are more likely to participate actively in training sessions, which will eventually help them retain crucial technical knowledge. L&D teams should make learning enjoyable for tech teams. This can be achieved through interactive content, gamified learning experiences, and a customized learning path in which learners are fully engaged with the learning material. L&D teams should promote regular knowledge-sharing sessions, like hackathons and coding workshops. Not only should tech teams be encouraged to further their learning, but engineering leadership should also work toward gaining expertise in their respective domains. Adopting these strategies helps foster an environment where learning is both encouraged and celebrated.
Final word
In essence, understanding the forgetting curve is important for tech teams to stay competitive and mitigate its impact. L&D teams should integrate effective learning strategies into their training programs so they can ensure that their tech teams remain at the forefront of technological innovation.
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