Spaced learning and massed practice

Spaced learning (also known as disturbed practice) refers to the theory that practising at regular intervals is more effective that practising all at once.Massed practice is the opposite of spaced learning. With spaced learning, students practise an activity at regular intervals over a long period of time. However, with massed practice, students practise an activity numerous times with practically no breaks. Cramming is an example of massed practice.

[ronlugbill]

Thank you. This is very important information. I have a question about applying spaced practice. Instead of doing 5 weeks on each topic, shouldn't we do some on each topic every day. For example, instead of spending an hour a day on topic 1 during the first 5 weeks, shouldn't we do 15 minutes on each of the 4 topics every day? Make an exception for some lab days if an experiment or project requires more than 15 minutes of class time.
Is there some research on this type of plan, where you cover different, unrelated topics a little each day, rather than doing units on one topic that are then forgotten?