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Why Training Programs Often Fail to Deliver ROI and How to Fix It with Microlearning

 

spaced repetition


One of the biggest challenges businesses face is that employees forget most of what they learn within 6 months of training. This forgetfulness directly impacts training ROI and the effectiveness of workforce development programs.

The Science Behind Forgetting

In 1870, German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus introduced the ‘forgetting curve’—a theory that explains how memory deteriorates over time if it's not reinforced. According to Ebbinghaus:

  • Memory retention drops rapidly from 100% to 75% within minutes.

  • Only 58% of what was learned remains after 20 minutes.

  • Just 44% is retained after 1 hour.

  • A mere 33% sticks after 1 day.

  • And after 6 days, only 25% of the information remains.

This rapid loss of memory is a key reason training programs fail to deliver lasting results. But the good news is that this can be mitigated.

The Power of Repetition and Recall

The solution to this problem lies in spaced repetition and spaced retrieval. By regularly revisiting the learning content and prompting learners to recall what they’ve learned, businesses can help employees retain the knowledge long after the initial training. This is where microlearning comes into play.

What is Spaced Repetition?

Spaced repetition involves presenting the same information to learners over time. The goal is to refresh their memory just before they forget the material, reinforcing the knowledge at optimal intervals. Here’s what you need to consider for effective spaced repetition:

  1. How often should you repeat the information?

  2. When should you mix new learning with previous material?

  3. How do you schedule repetition without overwhelming the learner?

Remember, the brain needs time to absorb current information before moving on to new material. Don’t overload your learners!

What is Spaced Retrieval?

Spaced retrieval is the process of helping learners jog their memory to recall previously learned material. Every time they successfully retrieve the information, it becomes even more deeply embedded in their long-term memory. This can be done through:

  • Quizzes

  • Simulations

  • Gamified exercises

  • Assessments

What’s recalled is more likely to be remembered in the future. Microlearning helps build this memory recall by supplementing and reinforcing formal training.

Implementing Spaced Repetition and Retrieval in Training

To effectively implement these twin concepts, spaced repetition should come first, followed by spaced retrieval. But how do you determine the ideal interval between learning sessions? There’s no fixed formula—it depends on factors such as:

  • The difficulty level of the material

  • The learner’s profile

  • The criticality of the information to business operations

For example, critical business information that is frequently forgotten by learners will require more frequent repetition and retrieval.

Scheduling Microlearning Lessons

There are two approaches to scheduling microlearning lessons:

  1. Uniform Schedule: The intervals between learning sessions remain the same. For instance, repeating lessons every 2 months.

  2. Expanding Schedule: The intervals increase over time. For example, the first repetition may happen after 1 month, the second after 2 months, and so on.

Either approach works, but varying microlearning formats will help keep the learning process engaging and prevent boredom.

How Retrieval Practice Boosts Memory

Retrieval practice strengthens memory even more than spaced repetition. Testing learners with quizzes, simulations, or gamification exercises modifies their “memory trace,” making it easier to recall information later on. In fact, research shows that testing is far more effective than simply re-studying.

When spaced repetition and retrieval practice are used together, they not only boost recall but also influence behavior, helping employees apply what they’ve learned in the workplace.

Case Study: Spaced Repetition and Retrieval Practice in Healthcare

Let’s look at an example from the healthcare sector.

A training manager at XYZ Healthcare wanted to improve nurse-patient interactions. The manager divided the nurses into two teams—Team A and Team B—and applied spaced repetition by delivering microlearning snippets to both teams every 2 weeks for 3 months.

However, Team A also received retrieval-based questions via microlearning quizzes every 2 weeks.

The results were telling: After 3 months, Team A demonstrated significant behavioral changes, while Team B showed only modest improvements. The key difference? Team A’s regular engagement with retrieval practice alongside spaced repetition.

Conclusion: The Key to Training ROI

Both spaced repetition and retrieval practice are critical to improving training retention and boosting training ROI. Microlearning offers an effective framework for applying these techniques, helping organizations build a more knowledgeable and competent workforce.

By integrating spaced repetition and retrieval practice into your training strategy, you’ll not only enhance memory retention but also drive meaningful behavior change, ultimately improving performance and ensuring your training programs deliver a solid return on investment.

Is your workforce forgetting what they’ve learned? Don’t let memory decay impact your business performance—embrace microlearning with spaced repetition and retrieval practice today!
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