3 Microlearning Tactics that Boost Retention

We humans, grow through learning. Whether it’s learning how to put one foot in front of the other, how to ride a bike, or how to build a business, we’re always gathering new information and turning it into lessons.

But sometimes, you have to sit down and accumulate the theory first (like when you’re studying for an exam). This is not the easiest thing to do, especially if you’re gifted with a neurodivergent brain.

Luckily, we’ve learned enough about learning to devise different methods for different brains. One such method is microlearning, which feeds knowledge in focused bursts of content. Research indicates that this approach can significantly increase retention and completion rates, especially when you combine tactics.

Yes, microlearning comes in different flavors so that everyone can use it. If you’re curious, we’ve summarized the three most common tactics that are bound to help boost your retention, whether you’re learning for the SATs or the CPA exam.

1. Spaced Repetition

This is an evidence-based learning technique that involves reviewing newly learned information at progressively increasing time intervals rather than reviewing it all at once.

Studies show that when learning is distributed over time, it leads to much better long-term retention than when the learning is condensed into a single session. By reviewing material right as you are about to forget it, you interrupt the forgetting curve and reset the memory decay clock.

Here’s what a review schedule based on spaced repetition looks like:

• Initial learning: Day 0 (Lecture, reading, etc.)
• 1st review: 1 day later
• 2nd review: 3 days later
• 3rd review: 7 days later (1 week from start)
• 4th review: 14 days later (2 weeks from start)
• 5th review: 1 month later

2. Active Recall

With this study method, you actively force your brain to retrieve information from memory, rather than passively re-reading or reviewing your notes. This strengthens the neural connections and improves your retention.

To make things easier, you can use several techniques that force your brain to remember without going over the material:

• Flashcards: You can use an interactive flashcard maker to turn the content you’re learning into flashcards, and then use them to practice answering the questions. Look at the question side and provide the answer aloud or in writing before flipping it over.
• The Blurting Technique: After studying a topic, take a blank sheet of paper and write down everything you can recall about it for a set time (e.g., 5 minutes) without looking at your notes. Then, check your notes and fill in the gaps with a different colored pen.
• Teaching/Explaining: Explain the concept to a friend, a pet, or even just an imaginary audience (the Feynman Technique). If you can't explain it simply and accurately, you don't fully understand it.

3. Dual Coding Theory

With advanced technology that can make immersive digital learning a reality, you can use different media formats (short videos, interactive quizzes, engaging infographics, concept maps, or audio clips) to boost retention.

This is called dual coding because information is processed in both visual (or auditory) and verbal formats. This helps the brain create multiple memory traces, improving the chances of recall.

In Conclusion

If you have trouble remembering information you need to learn for an exam, try switching the learning methods. Give your brain some variety and increase the degree of diversity to make things more interesting with microlearning. You’ll start to see better results in no time!