Software
Most spaced repetition software (SRS) programs are modeled after the manual style of learning with flashcards: items to memorize are entered into the program as question-answer pairs. When a pair is due to be reviewed, the question is displayed on screen, and the user must attempt to answer. After answering, the user manually reveals the answer and then tells the program (subjectively) how difficult answering was. The program schedules pairs based on spaced repetition algorithms. Without a program, the user has to schedule flashcards; this is time-intensive and limits users to simple algorithms like the Leitner system.
Further refinements with regard to software:
- Questions and/or answers can be a sound-file to train recognition of spoken words.
- Automatic generation of pairs (e.g. for vocabulary, it is useful to generate three question-pairs: written foreign word, its pronunciation and its meaning—but data only has to be entered once.
- Additional information retrieved automatically is available, such as example sentences containing a word.
- Support for advanced input formats such as LaTeX.
- Use of a portable web platform instead of an installable program.
- Opportunities to combine spaced repetition with online community functions, e.g. sharing courses.
Some implementations:
- Anki
- eSpindle Learning aka LearnThat.org
- Flashcard Exchange
- Course Hero
- Memrise
- Mnemosyne
- Skritter
- SuperMemo
- Winflash
- OpenCards
The above list is not comprehensive, nor does it intend to be. The list of flashcard software provides a broader overview.
Read more about this topic: Spaced Repetition