The document discusses strategies to combat the forgetting curve, which suggests that individuals can lose up to 90% of learned training information shortly after. Key recommendations include providing accessible resources, linking new knowledge to existing information, focusing on immediately applicable skills, and using spaced retrieval techniques to enhance memory retention. Facilitating practice and reducing irrelevant content in training materials are also emphasized to improve learning outcomes.

1. Flattening the Forgetting Curve

2. 2
There is a
learning curve
and then
there is a
forgetting
curve.
Bill Rosenthal

3. 3
The forgetting curve predicts that we lose up to 90% of
the information we learn in training just a few days
afterward.

4. 4
As a result, most
of what employees
learn in training
never gets applied
to work.

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How to Help Employees Remember
andApply Knowledge
• Provide accessible resources to reinforce
information.
• Build learning programs on what
employees already know.
• Train on immediately applicable skills.
• Trim out the fat from training materials.
• Reinforce information over time.
• Help employees practice new skills.

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Provide accessible resources to reinforce information.
Flip charts Checklists Wikis
Emails Reference Docs
Mnemonics Posters Desk Tents

7. 7
Even doctors benefit from
using checklists of best
practices.

8. 8
Build on What EmployeesAlready Know
Cognitive researchers know that linking new concepts
to old ones makes it easier to remember the fresh
information.
Try linking the steps of a new process to those of the
old, so it's easier to recall.
Today’s Step 1
Tomorrow's Step 1
Today’s Step 2
Tomorrow’s Step 2
Today’s Step 3
Tomorrow’s Step 3

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Focus on Skills Needed Now

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Focus on Skills Needed Now
If employees can use what they just learned as soon
as they leave the training, they'll retain it longer.
• Micro-learning
• Short videos
• Tools like
Pract.us

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Trim Out Irrelevant
Information from
your Training

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People have a harder time
remembering important information if
it's delivered together with useless
noise.
• Ruthlessly cut anything that's not essential.
• Put additional information or background into
optional resources.
• Create extra reading/practice for people who
want a deep dive.

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Use Spaced Retrieval for Better Recall
"Spaced Retrieval" is a tried and true technique for
getting information into long term memory.
Essentially, you give people som time to forget
information, then ask them to remember it. Even if
they fail, the right answers will lodge more firmly in
memory.
Formal or informal quizzes at regular intervals are an
easy and inexpensive way to do it.
Time from training
First quiz Second quiz Third quiz Fourth quiz

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Help Employees Practice
• Give people a time and a
safe space to practice.
• Let employees make
mistakes and get
feedback.
• Be available to answer
questions and remind
people of key information.

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Don't Forget to
Plan to Forget

16. Learn more about effective, low-cost,
experience-based training strategies
Pract.us

17. 17
Creative Attributions
Many thanks to:
Nicholas Menghini from Noun Project, Poster Icon
Ryan Sun from Noun Project, Mnemonics Icon
Kelcey Hurst from Noun Project, Desk Tent Icon
Gregor Cresnar from Noun Project, Wiki Icon
Icons Bazaar from Noun Project, Reference Icon
Laymik from Noun Project, Brain Icon
Rafael Garcia Motta from Noun Project, Flip Chart Icon
Adnen Kadri from Noun Project, Email Icon