Concepts
Learning science
The hierarchy of learning mechanisms that guide Timeback’s design
Not all learning mechanisms are equal. Research and implementation reveal a clear hierarchy that guides every design decision.
Documentation Index
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The hierarchy of learning mechanisms that guide Timeback’s design
| Mechanism | What it means |
|---|---|
| Faultless communication | Instruction is unambiguous. Examples clearly distinguish what counts from what does not. |
| Retrieval practice | Active recall is the primary learning event, not passive consumption. |
| Mastery gating | Students do not progress without demonstrating ≥90% accuracy on rigorous assessments. |
| Mechanism | What it means |
|---|---|
| Spacing | Distribute practice over time. Cramming creates temporary performance. |
| Interleaving | Mix problem types to prevent context-dependency. |
| Worked examples | Study complete solutions before attempting problems. |
| Feedback | Immediate for basic facts; elaborated (explaining why) for concepts. |
| Mechanism | What it means |
|---|---|
| Novelty | Activates attention. Useful for marking practice intervals. |
| Multimedia | Combine verbal and visual when both add value. Avoid redundancy. |
| Gamification | Can increase engagement if it reinforces learning behaviors, not just completion. |