Distributed practice

Distributed practice involves the inclusion of breaks into practice and is suited to continuous tasks which may become tiring. It is refers to the same amount of practice time, but distributed across more sessions.

For example, rowing would best be taught through distributed practice.  The breaks would allow the learner to engage in mental practice, which is process where the performer would ‘run; through’ the task at a cognitive level.

It is suggested that for a continuous skill a distributed practice schedule is preferable, whereas for discrete skill, mass practice is better.

In distributed practice the amount of time in rest is equal to or greater than the amount of time in work, whereas in massed practice schedule is a greater amount of time in work than in rest.
Distributed practice