Forgetting Curve: Shaping Learning Design for Retention

Why the Forgetting Curve Should Shape Your
Learning Design
Understanding the Forgetting Curve and Its Critical
Relevance for Modern Trainers
In today’s fast-paced, information-saturated work environments,
training effectiveness is not just about delivering content — it’s about

ensuring retention. One of the most fundamental psychological
concepts that training professionals must understand is the
Forgetting Curve. Originally discovered by German psychologist
Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 19th century, the Forgetting Curve
graphically demonstrates how information is lost over time when
there is no attempt to retain it. For modern trainers, this concept isn’t
just academic — it’s actionable intelligence that can transform how
learning is designed, delivered, and reinforced.
What is the Forgetting Curve?
The Forgetting Curve illustrates the decline of memory retention over
time. Ebbinghaus discovered that learners forget approximately 50%
of new information within an hour of learning it, 70% within a day,
and up to 90% within a week — if there’s no active effort to retain it.
The curve is steepest soon after the learning event, indicating that
most forgetting happens rapidly.
This natural memory decay is a critical challenge for corporate
training. Whether you’re rolling out compliance modules, onboarding
new employees, or launching upskilling initiatives, the reality is that
most of what’s taught will be forgotten unless it’s reinforced.
Why Trainers Must Pay Attention

Training, when poorly retained, is wasted effort. This is especially
concerning in industries where knowledge is directly tied to safety,
compliance, performance, or customer satisfaction. Trainers who
understand the Forgetting Curve can reimagine their learning
strategies to mitigate this decline and drive long-term behavioral
change.
Here’s why the Forgetting Curve should be at the forefront of every
trainer’s mind:
● Improves ROI: When learners retain more, organizations
gain greater value from their training investments.
● Boosts Performance: Knowledge that sticks leads to better
decision-making, execution, and innovation.
● Enhances Compliance: In regulated industries, ensuring
employees remember key policies is not optional — it’s
essential.
The Role of Reinforcement in Learning Retention
To overcome the Forgetting Curve, reinforcement is key. Ebbinghaus
found that the curve can be flattened with spaced repetition —
reviewing information at strategic intervals helps lock it into
long-term memory.

MaxLearn leverages this insight through spaced microlearning and
AI-driven personalization. By reintroducing key concepts at optimal
times, MaxLearn ensures that learners re-encounter content before it
fades, dramatically improving retention.
Strategies to Combat the Forgetting Curve
Trainers can apply several evidence-based techniques to counteract
memory decay and enhance knowledge retention:
1. Spaced Repetition
Delivering content in intervals — days or even weeks apart — helps the
brain reprocess and re-store knowledge more deeply. Instead of a
one-time training event, use a structured schedule that revisits the
material multiple times.
2. Microlearning
Short, focused learning sessions are easier to digest and remember.
Microlearning aligns perfectly with the way our brains work and fits
seamlessly into busy workflows. MaxLearn’s platform enables trainers
to deliver bite-sized lessons that reinforce key ideas over time.
3. Retrieval Practice

Encourage learners to actively recall information rather than passively
reread it. Quizzes, flashcards, and scenario-based questions trigger
memory recall and significantly improve retention.
4. Gamification
Gamified elements like points, badges, and leaderboards make
learning more engaging and memorable. By turning reinforcement
into a fun, rewarding experience, trainers can motivate learners to
return and review content regularly.
5. Personalized Learning Paths
Not all learners forget at the same rate. MaxLearn uses AI to identify
knowledge gaps and customize the reinforcement schedule, so each
learner gets what they need when they need it.
6. Real-World Application
Knowledge sticks when it’s used. Encouraging learners to apply what
they’ve learned in real situations reinforces understanding and
highlights relevance.
MaxLearn: A Modern Solution to an Age-Old
Challenge