---
title: "Encourage sustainable learning"
description: "How can learners repeat content and consolidate their knowledge?"
url: https://knowledgebase.ovosplay.com/en/articles/8837794-encourage-sustainable-learning
collection: "🔁 Follow-up"
updated: 2026-07-11
language: en
alternates: [de]
---

# Encourage sustainable learning

How can learners repeat content and consolidate their knowledge?

# The learning algorithm

The learning algorithm allows learners to repeat the right content at the right time.

The learning algorithm of _ovos play_ is based on the Leitner system according to Sebastian Leitner, who is known for systematic learning with flashcards. Learning takes place through staggered repetition: Content is repeated daily, every other day and every five days in order to achieve long-term retention in the memory.

Leitner's research is based on Ebbinghaus' forgetting curve, which states that what has been learned is forgotten after just a few hours:

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/67977354a195132198129e35/20250218151639_1521.png)

This can be counteracted by repeating the content:

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/67977354a195132198129e35/20250218151639_7610.gif)

**Note:**

Neurodidactics has shown that connections are formed in the brain after just 20 minutes of training. If these are trained regularly, the information can be transferred from short-term to long-term memory.

**Pro tips:**

-   With the practice function learners can regularly repeat the content - 10 cards are always drawn from the card deck pool per session. The learning algorythm gives learners quiz questions that they have not answered for a while or have often answered incorrectly. This guarantees lasting learning and variety.
    
-   With the duel mode, learners can playfully compete against each other and thus acquire and consolidate knowledge through fun.
    

  
Duelling mode in _ovos play:_

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/67977354a195132198129e35/20250218151639_4544.png)

This also promotes intrinsic motivation, i.e. the inner drive to want to do something. These three factors are important for this:

1.  **Autonomy:** Learners can decide for themselves, e.g. the avatar or which deck of cards they start with.
    
2.  **Competence:** Learners' abilities must be challenged - content must not be too easy or too difficult.
    
3.  **Connectedness:** Learners need to feel connected to what they are doing.
    

**Pro tip:**

To keep motivation high, you can use playful elements such as the _code_ card. You can use them for different content, e.g. to illustrate a process, ask for an important number or simply for fun 🙂

_Code_ card:

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/67977354a195132198129e35/20250218151639_0992.png)

[Previous chapter: Use different media: image, audio, video and text](https://knowledgebase.ovosplay.com/en/articles/8769458.md)

**More information:**

[How does the learning algorithm work in](https://knowledgebase.ovosplay.com/en/articles/5435114.md) [_ovos play_?](https://knowledgebase.ovosplay.com/de/articles/5435114-wie-funktioniert-der-lernalgorithmus-in-ovos-play.md)

[Can points and progress measurements be individualized?](https://knowledgebase.ovosplay.com/en/articles/7187508.md)

[How does the "Code" card work?](https://knowledgebase.ovosplay.com/en/articles/5085424.md)

* * *

**Sources:**

Sebastian Leitner (1972). _So lernt man lernen: Der Weg zum Erfolg_.

Grein, Marion (2013): _Qualifiziert unterrichten: Neurodidaktik: Grundlagen für Sprachlehrende. Deutsch als Fremdsprache_

_Gamification Masterclass_, hosted by Dr. Zac Fitz-Walter (2020)

[https://aeccc.univie.ac.at/forschung/abgeschlossene-projekte/verstehendes-lernen-durch-concept-cartoons/](https://aeccc.univie.ac.at/forschung/abgeschlossene-projekte/verstehendes-lernen-durch-concept-cartoons/)