The idea behind the L
The method of “Spaced Repetition” works like this:
- A container is set up to hold the flashcards. It is divided into multiple individual compartments (3-5).
- All flashcards start in box 1.
- When the material on a flashcard is recalled correctly it is moved forward by one box. (See the diagram above-green arrows). If the flashcard makes it to the last box it remains there.
- When the material on a flashcard is not recalled it is returned to deck 1 regardless of what box it was in.
- Each subsequent box has a longer period of time before the flashcards in it are repeated.
- Make a time plan: study the Group 1 cards once a day, Group 2 every 3 days, and the Group 3 cards every 5 days, etc. If you look at a Group 1 card and get the correct answer, you “promote” it to Group 2. A correct answer with a Group 2 card “promotes” that card to Group 3.
How does it work?
The idea is that the easier it is to recall the material on a flashcard the less often that flashcard will be repeated in the future. The reverse follows. The harder it is to recall the material on a flashcard the more often it will be repeated. The repetition of each flashcard is scheduled, or spaced, in such a way that the learner spends most of their time studying material that is more challenging. Material that has been retained well is studied only occasionally to ensure it has not been forgotten.
The Leitner System’s implementation of spaced repetition works like this:
- A container called a cardbox or a cardfile is set up to hold the flashcards. It is divided into multiple individual compartments. FlashcardDB calls the groups of flashcards in each compartment decks.
- All flashcards start in deck 1.
- When the material on a flashcard is recalled correctly it is moved forward by one deck. (See the green arrows in the diagram above). If the flashcard was already in the last deck then it remains there.
- When the material on a flashcard is not recalled it is returned to deck 1: regardless of what deck the flashcard came from. (See the merged red arrow(s) in the diagram).
- Each subsequent deck has a longer period of time before the flashcards it contains must be repeated.
Deck
NumberTime until
next repetitionOne None Two 1 day Three 3 days Four 1 week Five 1 month