Video Production Company Johannesburg: The Forgetting Curve
When you learn something new, how much of it do you actually remember a week later? A day later? Well, Hermann Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve explains this phenomenon in a very straightforward way: most of what you learn is lost over time unless you actively try to retain it. If you have ever sat through a training video and found yourself forgetting most of the content soon after, you are not alone. But there is good news. Understanding the Forgetting Curve and incorporating strategies to overcome it can significantly enhance the retention of knowledge—especially in training environments. If you are working with a video production company Johannesburg to create training content, these strategies can make your videos much more effective.
What is the Forgetting Curve?
The Forgetting Curve was developed by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 19th century. His research showed that people forget a large amount of information very quickly after learning it, particularly in the first few hours and days. Without reinforcement or revision, memory fades rapidly. This is especially true for abstract or meaningless material, but it applies broadly to any kind of learning.
The curve itself is steep at first, meaning that most forgetting happens soon after learning. Then, as time goes on, the rate of forgetting slows down. Unfortunately, this means that if there is no follow-up or revision, the information you initially learned can become all but lost. This is where video production company Johannesburg can help. Videos, if structured properly, can incorporate strategies to help learners retain information for a longer period.
The Importance of Addressing the Forgetting Curve in Training
The implications of the Forgetting Curve for training and education are significant. If you are investing time and resources into creating training materials, whether for onboarding, compliance, or product knowledge, you will want to ensure that your learners retain as much of that information as possible.
A well-made video can be a powerful learning tool, but if it does not include strategies to combat forgetting, its effectiveness diminishes quickly. Instead of a one-off video session, incorporating certain strategies can keep learners engaged and allow them to revisit key content at the right times. This is particularly relevant for businesses and organisations looking to improve employee retention of vital knowledge.
Strategies to Combat the Forgetting Curve
- Spaced Repetition One of the most well-known strategies for combating the Forgetting Curve is spaced repetition. This technique involves revisiting material at increasingly spaced intervals over time. The idea is that each review session helps reinforce the information in long-term memory. When you create videos with a video production company Johannesburg, this strategy can be implemented by breaking up your content into digestible parts and scheduling them to be reviewed over time.
For instance, a product training video could be followed up with periodic quizzes or follow-up content that revisits key features, helping to ensure that the learner retains what was covered. Spaced repetition systems can be automated, allowing you to create a more effective long-term learning programme for your audience. - Active Learning Techniques Passive learning—just watching a video or reading material—does not do much to promote retention. The Forgetting Curve suggests that information learned passively is quickly forgotten. This is why incorporating active learning techniques, such as quizzes, discussion prompts, or even hands-on activities, can be beneficial.
If you are working with a video production company Johannesburg, you can easily integrate interactive elements into your training videos. For example, a short quiz or a challenge at the end of each video can reinforce learning and give your audience a reason to engage with the material beyond simply watching. Active learning encourages learners to process the information, making it more likely that they will remember it. - Microlearning Microlearning involves delivering content in small, focused chunks. This approach aligns well with the Forgetting Curve because it prevents information overload and helps learners retain information more easily. Instead of overwhelming your audience with a lengthy video, microlearning offers bite-sized, manageable lessons that focus on specific learning objectives.
When creating videos with a video production company Johannesburg, think about how you can break down large topics into smaller segments. For example, rather than producing one long video about a software tool, create several short videos that cover different features of the tool. Microlearning can be a very effective way to help learners retain information because it allows them to focus on one thing at a time. - Learning in the Flow of Work This strategy involves integrating learning into the daily work routine, allowing learners to apply what they have learned immediately. The idea is that learning is more effective when it happens in the context of real-world tasks. Instead of expecting learners to memorise content in a silo, learning becomes more relevant and effective when it is applied in real time.
A video production company Johannesburg can help you create training videos that align with the flow of work. For example, you could create “just-in-time” training videos that employees can watch when they need help completing a specific task or learning a new tool. This not only reinforces learning but also helps employees apply their knowledge in real situations, improving retention.
Reinforcement Strategies: The “Follow-up” Approach
After the initial training video, it is essential to follow up with the learners to ensure they retain the material. Reinforcement can come in many forms, but some of the most effective methods include:
- End-of-Video Quizzes A simple yet effective way to reinforce learning is by including a quiz at the end of your training video. This gives the learner a chance to test their understanding and reflect on what they have learned. Quizzes can also help identify any knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. By creating these interactive elements, you make the learning experience more engaging and memorable.
- Follow-up Emails Sending periodic emails after a training session can help reinforce the material. These emails can summarise the key points, provide additional resources, or include reminders of important concepts. Since the Forgetting Curve shows that memory fades quickly, these follow-up emails can serve as valuable reinforcements to keep the material fresh in the learner’s mind.
- Spaced Review Sessions Just as spaced repetition is effective for individual learners, it can also be applied in a group setting. After the initial video, you can schedule follow-up sessions or create new videos that revisit the most important concepts. These spaced sessions can be strategically timed to help combat forgetting.
How Often Should Key Points Be Revisited?
While the exact timing for revisiting key points can vary based on the material and the learner’s familiarity with the content, research has shown that revisiting information at increasing intervals over a span of weeks or months is ideal. A general rule of thumb is to revisit content after 24 hours, one week, and then again after a month or more.
A video production company Johannesburg can assist in designing a training programme that integrates these review intervals. For example, a series of follow-up videos or quizzes that are spaced out over time can keep learners engaged and reinforce their knowledge, making it more likely that they will retain what they have learned.
Conclusion
Forgetting is natural, but it does not have to be inevitable. While Ebbinghaus’s research showed that information fades quickly without reinforcement, modern learning techniques can keep important concepts from slipping away. Strategies like spaced repetition, active learning, and microlearning help counteract the Forgetting Curve, ensuring that training materials do more than just pass through short-term memory.
Here is an interesting tidbit: Ebbinghaus found that relearning forgotten information takes significantly less time than learning it from scratch. In other words, the brain does not truly “delete” information—it just tucks it away until it is needed again. This is why well-structured training videos, especially those created with reinforcement strategies, can help people recall information more easily when they need it most.
A well-planned video is not just something to watch—it is something to remember. By using follow-ups, quizzes, and strategic repetition, training videos can become lasting resources rather than one-time experiences. A video production company Johannesburg can help structure content in a way that makes learning more effective and, most importantly, more memorable. Because when it comes to training, the goal is not just to teach—it is to make sure people actually remember what they learned.The Forgetting Curve may be inevitable, but forgettable training videos are not. With the right mix of repetition, engagement, and smart design, your training content can go from “what was that again?” to “I got this!” Sound Idea Digital is here to help. Let’s create training videos that actually stick—reach out today!
We are a full-service Web Development and Content Production Agency in Gauteng specialising in Video Production, Animation, eLearning Content Development, Learning Management Systems, and Content Production.
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