The plateau effect is a phenomenon in which measures that were once effective at producing improvement lose their effectiveness over time, similar to diminishing returns, so that a person reaches a period with little or no further gain, or even a decline, in performance despite continued effort. In learning specifically, the plateau effect appears when students experience a dwindling benefit from their learning effort, a pattern documented in reading development, where research has found reading plateaus emerging during the upper elementary school years.
Facts
Core ClaimThe plateau effect describes a stage, following an earlier period of steady improvement, in which continued effort or practice yields little or no further gain in performance, as seen in skill learning, exercise training and other trained abilities. 1 Classification
Education LevelPrimary Education (ISCED 1) 1 FAQs
What can help a learner get past a plateau?
Ebbinghaus hypothesized that the method of loci and spaced repetition can help overcome a plateau.
The source reports that Hermann Ebbinghaus hypothesized that the ancient mnemonic device called the method of loci, together with spaced repetition, can help overcome the plateau effect. In the account of skill learning it cites, the plateau is the final autonomous stage, when a person feels as good at the task as they need to be and runs on autopilot, and reaching it starts the mental exercises that keep the mind guessing.
Connections
Associated With
The learning curve article own Models section names a Plateau model, where learning ceases after cost reaches a sufficiently low level, connecting directly to the Plateau Effect entity.
Source Learning Curve (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Plateau effect (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundationlead section, first sentence
The plateau effect is a phenomenon that lessens the effectiveness of once effective measures over time.
Description, education-level classification
In learning specifically, the plateau effect appears when students experience a dwindling benefit from their learning effort, a pattern documented in reading development, where research has found reading plateaus emerging during the upper elementary school years.
View the Source Learning Curve (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Learning Curve, In economics section, Models subsection, Plateau modelQuote, Associated With: Learning Curve, In economics section, Models subsection, Plateau model
In other words, the learning ceases after cost reaches a sufficiently low level.
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