Implications of Short Term Memory Research for the Design of Spaced Repetition Based Mobile Learning Games

Spaced repetition learning is an approach for choosing the most efficient intervals between rehearsing learning content. Typically used for tasks like learning vocabulary it also offers great potential for content selection in learning games. Learning games do, however differ from classic spaced repetition learning approaches in that content is not only accessed when indicated by a spaced repetition scheduling algorithm but also when the users simply want to play the game or when they decide to play the game multiple times in a row. In these cases, short term memory effects might mask learning effects in user performance, leading to faulty inputs to the calculation of spaced repetition interval lengths. This paper reviews current research literature on the interaction of short term and long term memory in order to determine how short term memory effects can be coped with in the context of spaced repetition based learning games.