Crucial factors affecting learning, according to ACT-R theory, (see also Anderson, Fincham, & Douglass, 1997) are:
- time on task
- examples
- clear explanations of examples
In addition, Anderson and Schunn (2000), asserting that there are "no magic bullets" in learning, comment on three laws of learning:
- Power Law of Learning: "As a particular skill is practiced there is a gradual and systematic improvement in performance...."
- Power Law of Forgetting: "As time passes performance degrades ...."
- Multiplicative Effect of Practice and Retention: Practice spaced appropriately over time is crucial for retention of learning.
In other words, to learn something well, a lot of practice (not infrequent cramming) is needed, and that practice needs to be spaced out in frequent intervals.
Motivation
For persistent engagement, or "time on task," motivation is crucial. Some factors involved in intrinsic motivation, according to Csikszentmihalyi's flow theory, are:
- clear goals
- immediate feedback
- focused attention
- tasks that challenge (without unduly frustrating) one's skills
Motivation is more than just intrinsic. A general theory of motivation is self-determination theory (see Deci & Ryan, 2000), which posits that motivation has three interacting aspects: autonomy, competence, and social relatedness. The notion of competence ties in well with flow theory's position on challenging tasks.