Combatting the Forgetting Curve: Training Strategies for Retention

Combating the Curve: Proven Training
Strategies to Improve Retention and Recall
Mastering the Forgetting Curve: A Strategic Imperative for
Modern Trainers
In today’s fast-paced learning environments, ensuring that training
leads to real knowledge retention is more critical than ever. Yet,
despite sophisticated learning management systems and engaging

course materials, one persistent challenge remains: learners forget
what they’ve learned — quickly. This phenomenon is not new. Over a
century ago, German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered
the Forgetting Curve, a concept that remains profoundly relevant to
trainers today.
Understanding the dynamics of the Forgetting Curve — and how to
combat it — can make the difference between training that simply
checks a box and training that transforms performance.
What Is the Forgetting Curve?
The Forgetting Curve is a visual representation of how information
is lost over time when there is no attempt to retain it. Ebbinghaus
conducted experiments on himself to measure how much he could
remember after various intervals. The results were staggering: he
found that up to 70% of newly learned information is forgotten
within 24 hours unless it’s reinforced.
The curve starts steep, showing rapid loss of knowledge right after
learning. Over time, the rate of forgetting slows down, but the overall
loss is significant unless countermeasures — like review, practice, and
reinforcement — are applied.

For trainers, this means that no matter how well a session is delivered,
most of the information may be lost unless there is a plan in place to
revisit the content in strategic ways.
Why the Forgetting Curve Matters in Corporate
Training
Corporate training programs are investments — both in time and in
resources. When learners forget what they’ve learned, organizations
lose productivity, compliance risks increase, and the ROI of training
plummets.
Consider these common corporate training scenarios:
● Sales teams forget key product features after a launch
training session.
● New employees fail to retain compliance protocols from
onboarding.
● Managers don’t recall how to conduct performance reviews
effectively after initial workshops.
In each case, the cost of forgetting is tangible — and often high. This is
why modern training must focus not just on delivering content but on
ensuring knowledge retention and long-term behavior change.

The Science Behind Retention: Spacing, Repetition,
and Reinforcement
To mitigate the Forgetting Curve, cognitive scientists and
educators advocate for several proven strategies:
1. Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is the practice of reviewing information at
increasing intervals over time. This method takes advantage of the
brain’s ability to strengthen memories through periodic review.
Instead of cramming information in a single session, spaced repetition
ensures learners revisit material just before they’re about to forget it —
flattening the Forgetting Curve.
2. Active Recall
Encouraging learners to retrieve information from memory — rather
than simply reviewing it passively — has been shown to dramatically
improve retention. Tools like quizzes, flashcards, and scenario-based
questions engage the brain and solidify knowledge.
3. Microlearning

Delivering content in bite-sized chunks allows learners to focus on a
single concept at a time. When combined with repetition and active
recall, microlearning becomes a powerful antidote to the Forgetting
Curve.
4. Gamification
Gamified learning systems tap into learners’ motivation by
offering rewards, feedback, and progress tracking. This boosts
engagement and increases the likelihood that learners will return to
the material frequently, naturally reinforcing what they’ve learned.
MaxLearn’s Approach: Turning the Curve in Your
Favor
At MaxLearn, we’ve embedded scientific learning strategies
directly into our microlearning platform to help trainers overcome the
Forgetting Curve. Here’s how:
Spaced Reinforcement