[Mods: it might be helpful to tag this paper as written in 2007]
It seems to me this paper is bringing to light the idea of spaced repetition for learning and this has become quite popular in the productivity/learning culture of today (e.g. Ali Abdaal).
> Alternatively, mathematics textbooks could easily adopt a format that engenders spacing.
I tutor middle school students in mathematics and this is definitely being implemented in their textbooks! At the end of each chapter, there a is normal chapter review practice test followed by a "Cumulative Practice" which reviews topics from the previous chapters in the book. These are especially beneficial to my students as, like the paper highlights, it promotes long-term memory of those topics.
> For example, although computer-based instruction typically provides extensive retrieval practice and rapid feedback, it offers a currently unexploited opportunity to schedule study sessions in ways that optimize long-term retention.
There is an immensely popular software called Anki which implements exactly this "spaced repetition"-type protocol.
There is a comparable software that has a friendlier UX: https://mochi.cards/. It's basically Anki, if Anki were smoother. Does cost a tiny bit though.
Anki is very much... an expert's tool? I think there's quite a lot of opportunity (not necessarily monetarily :)) for SRS software with a good UX.
Anki's data model is rather strange, which partly relates to its flexibility but has some unexpected downsides and trap-doors.
I would love a slightly more opinionated SRS tool! (Maybe with a bit more UI polish, rather than rewriting the backend in Rust)
I don't see how anki is an experts tool...unless you want it to be.
You can simply dump everything into a single collection, use basic 'front' and 'back' cards...and review. Yes, it may not be 'optimal' depending on how you mark cards, but for most people, it's good enough. Better than nothing, and probably an improvement as an addition to whatever they are currently doing.
If you want expert features, you can. You can drill, tag, organise, create different templates....but none of that is really necessary, or particulary pushed on you as something you should or have to use.
This is a common complaint, but feels like a "delicate flower" argument. The UX is pretty spartan, but a fancy whiz bang UI isn't necessary to remember facts.
Not everyone needs all that, and the people that do (which is fine, btw), is a reflection of the person more than the tool.
Anki is only an expert's tool if you fall into the all too common trap of trying to optimize everything by microtweaking the settings.
I mean, sure, if that's your thing and you enjoy it, go for it. But it is not necessary, and (SM2 vs FSRS arguments aside), it works right out of the box with the default settings and algorithm.
Like anything, trying to get that last 10% optimization is WAY more work than getting the first 90%. But "using Anki" (in any way) is such a multiplier over NOT using it that just taking that step is enormous.
Quizlet has a spaced repetition mode you can use, you might need to pay for it? I used it a few years ago for some stuff I needed to memorize in school.
It seems to me this paper is bringing to light the idea of spaced repetition for learning and this has become quite popular in the productivity/learning culture of today (e.g. Ali Abdaal).
> Alternatively, mathematics textbooks could easily adopt a format that engenders spacing.
I tutor middle school students in mathematics and this is definitely being implemented in their textbooks! At the end of each chapter, there a is normal chapter review practice test followed by a "Cumulative Practice" which reviews topics from the previous chapters in the book. These are especially beneficial to my students as, like the paper highlights, it promotes long-term memory of those topics.
> For example, although computer-based instruction typically provides extensive retrieval practice and rapid feedback, it offers a currently unexploited opportunity to schedule study sessions in ways that optimize long-term retention.
There is an immensely popular software called Anki which implements exactly this "spaced repetition"-type protocol.