Overlearning

The degree of memorizing something repeatedly beyond the point at which you think you know is termed 'Overlearning'. This overlearning is generally used in kinder-gardens for their initial learning and also in music or other physical skills because it helps complex actions become more automatic and easier. This overlearning should not be mistaken for cramming because cramming does not yield long term knowledge or understanding of the material. On the other hand, overlearning helps in acquiring procedural memory. In this context, I would like to brief on what procedural memory is: It is a memory for the performance of particular types of actions. This is created through procedural training or repeating a complex activity over and over again. The procedural memory involves the utilization of cognitive and motor skills below the level of conscious awareness.

Implicit procedural learning is essential to the development of any motor skill or cognitive activity.The acquisition of skill requires practice. Merely repeating a task alone, however, does not ensure the acquisition of a skill. Skill acquisition is achieved when an observed behaviour has changed due to experience or practice. This involves analyzing the desired skill and repeating them over and over to achieve success. So the process of overlearning helps the learner is to perform an activity accurately.

The situations where overlearning is involved includes learning multiplication tables, learning vocabulary for a foreign language, mastering an instrument, in making speeches or giving a performance in front of the audience.Studies have revealed that this overlearning actually reduces the amount of mental effort leading to better performance even under a pressurized situation. This goes by the old saying "Practice makes a man perfect"!