4 Learning curves and plateaus by Ebbinghaus: For Better Learning

Introduction

A learning curve is a graphical representation of how a student’s performance progresses in a task.

Ebbinghaus was the first person to introduce the concept of learning curves, which shows how a learner learns.

The reasons for excellent learning or below-average learning are varied. This theory explains how a person retains or forgets information gradually.

Nonsense Syllables:

Ebbinghaus also introduced meaningless three-alphabet combinations of consonant-vowel-consonant, such as CUZ and FOQ. He used these to determine how much a person can retain.

Forgetting Curve:

His forgetting curve illustrates how a person forgets information over time. Ebbinghaus explained this concept in his groundbreaking book “On Memory.”

Learning Curve:

The curve line obtained by making the relationship between the amount of learning and time or effort is called the learning curve. The learning curve measures the progress of learning over time.

There are four types of curves:

1. Straight Line Curve:

A straight line curve is also called a curve of constant performance or linear acceleration curve. When the amount of learning increases uniformly with time, a straight line curve is obtained. Straight line curves are usually found in very few circumstances.

2. Convex Curve:

In this curve, the amount of learning decreases gradually with time and effort. Eventually, the curve becomes a horizontal line, indicating that further learning is impossible despite continued effort. This curve is called the Curve of Decreasing Returns or Negative Accelerated Curve. Convex learning curves are commonly observed.

3. Concave Curve (Upward Curve):

In this curve, the amount of learning continually increases with time and effort. This type of curve is also called the Curve of Increasing Returns or Positive Accelerated Curve.

4. Combination Type Curve:-

This curve is a combination of convex and concave curves. It is also called an S-type learning curve. In this type of learning curve, the amount of learning per attempt is less at the beginning and end of learning attempts, while the amount of learning per attempt is more in the middle attempts.

The initial part of the learning curve represents the initial stage of learning.

When the learner is ready to learn, the curve rises rapidly, or due to difficulty in the learning process, the initial part of the curve appears to rise.

The middle part of the curve represents the intermediate stage of learning, while the last part represents the final stage of learning.

Reasons for ups and downs

There are many reasons for the ups and downs of learning:

1. Excitement:

Excitement sparks initial enthusiasm, motivating learners to begin. This initial spark fuels curiosity, driving learners to engage with new information.

2. Readiness:

Readiness prepares learners for knowledge absorption. When learners are receptive, their curves rise rapidly, indicating swift progress.

3. Motivation:

Motivation propels learning progress, guiding learners toward goals. Sustained motivation maintains interest, ensuring continued growth.

4. Adaptation:

Adaptation facilitates smooth integration of new knowledge. Learners adjust, connecting new concepts to existing understanding.

5. Fatigue:

Fatigue slows learning, causing mental exhaustion. Prolonged effort without rest hinders progress.

6. Exercise:

Practice reinforces learning, solidifying retention. Repetition strengthens understanding, fostering mastery.

7. Incentive:

Incentives motivate learners, recognizing progress and effort. Rewards boost morale, encouraging continued learning.

Learning Plateaus:

It is sometimes observed in learning curves that some parts show very little progress or negligible progress. Such a curve showing negligible progress is called a plateau of learning.

During the learning process, a situation comes when, no matter how much practice is given to the learner, there is no progress in their learning. No person can learn more than their physical and mental capabilities, which are called psychophysical limits.

Apart from this limitation, learning plateaus caused by other reasons can be overcome by using proper guidance and appropriate teaching methods. After analyzing the learning curves, each curve can be divided into four parts:

1. Initial Spurt:-

Initial Spurt is also called initial acceleration. When a person starts learning a lesson, he has more motivation and enthusiasm due to which he learns fast and that is why the curve goes up rapidly.

2. Middle Spurt (Mid Spurt):-

After some time, the person starts feeling dull but in between he tries to be alert, hence many ups and downs are seen in the learning curve.

3. Plateaus:-

In the learning process, when there is little progress in learning despite a lot of effort, it is called a plateau. There can be more than one learning plateau in a single curve. The reasons for this are dullness, lack of enthusiasm and prior learning not helping in learning.

4. Last Impulse and Physical Limit (Last Spurt and Physiological Limit):-

In the final stage of learning, a person works with full dedication. He wants to complete the work by using his entire physical strength, due to which the amount of learning increases. This is also called final spurt or final acceleration. In fact, this situation also indicates the physical limitation of a person. No person can achieve more than his physical limitation.

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