{"id":46792,"date":"2022-12-30T09:02:35","date_gmt":"2022-12-30T09:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.proprofstraining.com\/blog\/?p=46792"},"modified":"2025-10-10T10:23:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T10:23:31","slug":"improve-learning-retention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.proprofstraining.com\/blog\/improve-learning-retention\/","title":{"rendered":"Improve Learning Retention With 10 Proven Strategies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learning retention is a key identifier of learning success. Without it, learners will remain unable to apply knowledge. It also raises a big question on your learning reinforcement. And more painfully, your teaching and training efforts seem wasted.<\/p>\n

A failure to retain information longer term is known as the forgetting curve<\/b>. The concept was discovered by Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist. He pioneered the experimental study of human memory.<\/p>\n

Like in educational settings, corporate learning emphasizes learner retention for obvious reasons. It enables learners to store information in their memory long term so that they can recall and put it to use in the future.<\/p>\n

The time, labor, and resources you invest in employee training<\/a> will go to waste if there’s a rapid decline in your learners\u2019 memory.<\/p>\n

So, what can you do to stop this?<\/p>\n

You must implement science-backed methods and strategies <\/b>that help with the retention of learning.<\/p>\n

In this post, you’ll learn what learning retention is, how it works, and the effective ways to improve knowledge retention.<\/p>\n

Keep reading to find out.<\/p>\n

<\/span>What Is Learning Retention?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Learning retention is a person\u2019s ability to retain information in their long-term memory for easy recall and use sometime in the future<\/b>. In other words, it’s how knowledge sticks in one\u2019s memory for a longer time.<\/p>\n

Learners with good retention capacity take in new information and they can remember it as and when required. This is regardless of the time span between the two activities.<\/p>\n

An absence of retention leaves you with short-term memory, which is not good when learning key concepts and skills.<\/p>\n

Learning retention works on the premise that human brains forget information quickly<\/b>. It’s like putting fuel in an automobile that has a hole in its gas tank. Everything goes in vain and it leaves you feeling frustrated.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s the science behind it:<\/p>\n

Dr. Tom\u00e1s Ryan, associate professor, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, & Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, said:<\/p>\n

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“Memories are stored in ensembles of neurons called ‘engram cells’, and successful recall of these memories involves the reactivation of these ensembles. The logical extension of this is that forgetting occurs when engram cells cannot be reactivated. <\/b>The memories themselves are still there, but if the specific ensembles cannot be activated, they can’t be recalled. It’s as if the memories are stored in a safe but you can’t remember the code to unlock it.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/span>How Does Learning Retention Work?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

When there’s retention in learning, the human mind processes information more fully, enabling it to draw upon that information better in the future. It contrasts with assimilating information temporarily, which doesn\u2019t help in any learning situation.<\/p>\n

Learning retention improves the learning experiences of an individual since long-term memory recall is essential to flawless applications of knowledge <\/b>in the future.<\/p>\n

One\u2019s areas of interest and deep engagement <\/b>with learning materials are significant factors in ensuring long-term retention of information.<\/p>\n

<\/span>4 Factors That Impact Retention in Learning<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Several factors are at play in ensuring learning retention among learners. It’s important to understand these factors so that you can check if they are present during the learning process.<\/p>\n

Here are four key factors that generally affect the retention of knowledge.<\/p>\n

1. Interest and Motivation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A learner\u2019s level of interest and motivation behind a learning initiative <\/b>play a significant role in the retention of learning.<\/p>\n

When learners find a program interesting and are driven by a motive, they can retain information for a longer time.<\/p>\n

This is because the human brain has been hardwired to focus on and remember things that it finds interesting.<\/p>\n

2. Repetition<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Repetition of learning materials is another key factor in learning retention. The more you repeat or practice a task, the better you retain it in your memory.<\/b><\/p>\n

For example, school-going kids and even parents find it hard to remember the daily timetable. This is why they often stick it to a study board and refer to it daily.<\/p>\n

3. Association<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The ability of learners to associate learning content with real life <\/b>and find meaning in them also helps them retain information longer.<\/p>\n

For example, when they form a mental picture of how they\u2019ll be able to work better after learning a new skill, it facilitates better learning, retention, and recall.<\/p>\n

4. Multiple Channels<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Different learners prefer different learning styles. While some are visual learners, some fare better with hands-on experiences.<\/p>\n

Therefore, choosing the appropriate learning delivery method is crucial to improving learning retention in your learners.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a quick look at how to create a learning style quiz with a wide selection of question types to identify and meet different learning styles.<\/p>\n

<\/span>How to Improve Learning Retention in 10 Steps<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are several time-tested ways to ensure retentive learning, whether you are working with kids, teens or adult professionals. These approaches can be adopted as external factors to enhance learning retention, but keep in mind internal factors, like interest and motivation, are also at play.<\/p>\n

1. Spaced Learning<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Spaced learning or spaced repetition <\/b>is based on the idea that learning becomes more effective when it’s repeated over a period of time. If you repeat information you take in, you tend to remember it longer.<\/p>\n

It explodes the myth that one-time in-depth learning is enough to master a subject. For best results, learners should repeat learning after some intervals.<\/p>\n

For example, you can break down a 1 to 2-hour-long employee training course into multiple modules or sessions of shorter durations with spaced intervals in between.<\/p>\n

After that, let your learners revisit these modules or sessions multiple times over the next few days or weeks.<\/p>\n

This will ensure better information retention, recall, and application.<\/b><\/p>\n

2. Microlearning<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Microlearning is about delivering bite-sized and highly focused <\/b>pieces of information for easy uptake by learners. Short videos, quizzes, games, slides, and infographics are examples of microlearning.<\/p>\n

Since this form of learning comes in small chunks, learners find them engaging, flexible, and convenient<\/b>. They\u2019re not only easy and quick to learn, but they also work around everyone\u2019s schedules and pace<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Learning through a mobile LMS<\/b> or learning management system is the best example of microlearning. Learners can watch a 2-minute how-to video or look up bulleted points in an employee manual anytime, anywhere through these applications.<\/p>\n

\"Microlearning<\/p>\n

Watch: What Is a Mobile LMS & How Can It Help Train Anytime, Anywhere?<\/strong><\/p>\n