Alan GanFlashcards Research Bibliography

Balota, David A., Jessica M. Logan, and Janet M. Duchek.Is Expanded Retrieval Practice a Superior Form of Spaced Retrieval? A Critical Review of the Extant Literature(n.d.): n. pag.Washington University in St. Louis. Web. 28 May 2015.This paper delves into human recall ability over certain spaced intervals. The experiments conducted in this study reveal that exponentially modeled interval sets work best to ingrain information into a person's memory. Because of the depth of the analysis in this paper, I could draw a lot of information about memory in relation to learning.

Efraimidis, Pavlos S., and Paul G. Spirakis. "Weighted Random Sampling." (2005): n. pag.Democritus University of Thrace. Democritus University of Thrace. Web. 3 June 2015. .When choosing cards within each bin, consideration must be taken for how much decay each card has experienced. A card with a higher decay level should have a higher probability of being chosen than one with a smaller decay level. This paper details an algorithm that can be used to implement weighted random selection.

Thomas-Stagg, Jonathan. "The Spaced Interval Repetition Technique."The Spaced Interval Repetition Technique(n.d.): n. pag.University of Illinois. Web. 3 June 2015. .This paper presents the forgetting curve in a visual mode. The graph it displays visualizes the idea of spaced repetition very aptly. While it did not provide an algorithm, it paved the way to my developing an idea of how to best lay out the flashcards upon review.

Golding, Jonathan M., Nesa E. Wasarhaley, and Bradford Fletcher. "The Use of Flashcards in an Introductory Psychology Class."Society for the Teaching of Psychology(2012): n. pag.ResearchGate. SAGE Publications. Web. 4 June 2015. .Throughout this project, one major quip I had to deal with was whether or not flashcard use was an effective method of learning. This article analyzed the relationship between flashcard use and performance in the class. The study showed that a majority of students did use flashcards as a regular part of their study, affirming this project's usefulness and applicability.

Thomassen, Andrew. "Learning and Forgetting Curves: A Practical Study."Department of Management Systems(n.d.): n. pag. University of Waikato. Web. 6 June 2015. .This study introduced a mathematical and analytical approach to how to represent the forgetting curve as a function. From this I could develop a base formula for how to handle gradual memory decay within my own flashcards program. It also further corroborated my hypothesis that memory decay is logarithmic.