Distributed verses massed practice

Distributed verses massed practice

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The study of human memory has been ongoing from the time of the Greek scholar, Aristotle. Aristotle made several contributions to the field of psychology. Aristotle believed that human being are born devoid of knowledge and gather it over time and therefore are sum of experiences. The earlier scholars developed their hypothesis without conducting any research. It was not until the 1880s that a scientific approach was developed to study memory. Herman Ebbinghaus conducted an experiment on himself using nonsense syllables. He developed the concepts of the learning curve and forgetting curve. The concepts are still widely accepted in the world today. The other major findings of the study were on the types of memory. Herman’s concepts lay the foundation for the future scientific studies on memory.

Memory is the core basis for ideally all cognitive brain functions. Hence, studies on the functional memory systems are utilized to understand how learning takes place. Researchers are developing concepts and models to aid teachers and learners retain the data for the purpose of application in the practical field. There are two major types of learning that can be utilized in the learning process namely, distributed and mass practice. The two types have their pros and cons. Distributed practice is better than mass practice. In this paper, the discussion will indicate why distributed memory is more effective in learning process.

Distributed practice ensures a more conscious approach to learning. It recommends a more spaced out technique that allows one to study in intervals for a specified duration of time. Students who depend on distributed practice are more likely to retain the knowledge beyond the exam which may facilitate better understanding of those classes. Massed practice describes studies that are done ocassionally but for prolonged periods of time. Mass practice is common in schools where the student studies only study a few days preceeding to the exam. Mass practice is quite efficient as many students often pass their exams. However, mass practice encourages students to cram for the exam hence the increased propensity to forget the information once the exam is done. Consequently, if one needs to retain the information it is better to adopt distribute practice.

Some researches support the use of distributed practice among learners. According to the stimulus sampling theory, the human brain accepts repeated materials more than when a study is conducted just once. Repeated signals amplify memory retention. Learners can relate to this topic. For example, studying the first time immensely stimulates the brain regions responsible for learning and retention of information. When the learner studies the same notes the second time, their brain is able to remember the concept and now can begin to retrieve stored information. If one learns effectively, they can easily remember even the page numbers and location of a concept. Distributed practice provides breaks between learning activities hence permitting a person to recognize the learning practices as those that form the mechanism of a twice-studied concept thus enhancing memorization. Reminding and association processes are stimulated that ensure a better understanding.

Distributed practice warrants an enhanced conceptual thoughtful understanding of the studied stuff. Distributed practice adopts a conscious approach to study all materials. Hence, this allows for better memorization of concepts and also for a prolonged periods of time. A reduction of distributed practice decreases the student’s understanding of the learning materials and thus leads to errors in the knowledge accumulated.

Distributed practice excels also in sports and music. One study reports that longer breaks between music sittings increase procedural memory of an individual. Essentially, the drilling of musicians illustrates that the performance precision of the musical skills is better elaborated using the memory consolidation theory. When a musician conducts multiple training sessions the motor skills are better encoded and refined and also less likely to be forgotten. If one decides to practice all the musical skills once and for prolonged periods as in massed practice they are likely to be forgotten. One may easily forget a particular musical skill due to allocation of information. There is also fewer repetition scenes unlike with distributed practice.

Within a limited time frame, a teacher should utilize distributed practice to allow studnets train their multiple abilities instead of concentrating on only one repetitive deed. Murray and Uderman demonstrated the efficiency of distributed practice by the method of football training session. The practice permitted learners to indulge multiple skills within a specified duration of time instead of focusing on one ability. Massed practice is effective for distinct tasks and is ineffective for the long-term constant drills. Motor skills require stages of rehearsal, drills and practice. In both practices all the mentioned events occur. However, in massed practice the rest intervals between practice sessions are minimal if any. Massed practice activists defend it by saying that frequent repetition enhances the method and effectiveness. However, from a psychological stand massed practice does not accommodate the motivation of an individual. The short resting intervals are not enough to distract the learner completely from learning. Consequently, in massed practice the learners are likely to be bored and tired unlike in distributed practice that distracts them and allows for retention.

In conclusion, distributed practice is more effective for both intellectual and motor purposes. The effectiveness stems from the major difference between the two namely the more resting intervals and repeated actions as in distributed practice. Distributed practice is useful for the functional and mechanical human intelligence organization. It should be promoted in sports, music and statistical exercise. This is because it adopts a more mindful style to specific actions by giving an improved conceptual consideration of the substances and greater motivation to intellectual and motor learning. Distributed practice avoids the mental, emotional, and emotional exhaustion that is predominates massed practice.

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