Repetition Sequences
Types of repetition sequences
Varied repetition
In varied repetition, the same topic or task is revisited, from a different perspective. For example, a topic may be revisited at increased complexity so the topic can be understood on a deeper level.
Varied repetition is suitable for sequencing content in a course. For sequencing multiple courses, on the curriculum level, spiral sequencing is more suitable. See these sources for more information.
Varied repetition example
The initial three modules of beginning programming course revisit the same four topics: create a source file, compile the program, run the program, view the output.
| Topics | Task/Objective |
|---|---|
| Create the source code, compile the program, run the program, view the output | Demonstrate the coding workflow for a program that displays "Hello World" |
| Create a source file, compile the program, run the program, view the output | Demonstrate the coding workflow for two numbers and adds them. |
| Create a source file, compile the program, run the program, view the output | Demonstrate the coding workflow for a program that displays the numbers from 1 to 100. |
Aggregate varied repetition
Aggregate varied repetition is suitable for sequencing content in a course. For sequencing multiple courses, on the curriculum level, strand sequencing is more suitable. See the sources below for more information.
In aggregate varied repetition, multiple topics or tasks are revisited together. Each topic or task is revisited from a different perspective.
Aggregate varied repetition example
In the following sequence, the topic of adding two numbers using place value is revisited in different perspectives (adding a different number of numbers and adding in a different base).
| Topic | Subtopic | Task |
|---|---|---|
| Add using place value | Add in base 10 | Add 2 numbers in base-10 using using place value |
| Add using place value | Add in base 10 | Add 3 numbers in base-10 using using place value |
| Add using place value | Add in base 2 | Add 2 numbers in base-2 using using place value |
| Add using place value | Add in base 2 | Add 3 numbers in base-2 using using place value |
In the following sequence, the topic of adding two numbers using place value is revisited from different perspectives (adding a different number of numbers and subtracting in a different base).
| Topic | Subtopic | Task |
|---|---|---|
| Subtract using place value | Subtract in base 2 | Subtract 2 numbers in base-2 using using place value |
| Subtract using place value | Subtract in base 2 | Subtract 3 numbers in base-2 using using place value |
| Subtract using place value | Subtract in base 10 | Subtract 2 numbers in base-10 using using place value |
| Subtract using place value | Subtract in base 10 | Subtract 3 numbers in base-10 using using place value |
Frequency of repetition
Repetition sequences are either consecutive or spaced.
Consective repetition
A topic or task that is taught in the current block is repeated in the next block.
Spaced repetition
A topic or task that is taught in the current block is repeated in a later, but not in the next block. The repetition may be in multiple blocks, at regular intervals.
Example
On Monday, students take a module where they learn to count from one to ten. For each day that follows in the same week, they spend fifteen minutes reviewing the same material.