Learning retention rates appear to be a hoax

Posted by  Shawn Callahan —June 21, 2006
Filed in News

Yesterday I posted a pyramid diagram purporting to be the learning retention rates for a range of information presentation approaches. Harold Jarche rightly ask the simple question: Any idea if this is based on sound science? I started to look and found a range of anomalies and then discovered this article describing the illustration and associated percentages as a hoax that’s been perpetuated since the ‘60s.

I apologise for passing this information on. I need to be more skeptical of the information I discover.

About  Shawn Callahan

Shawn, author of Putting Stories to Work, is one of the world's leading business storytelling consultants. He helps executive teams find and tell the story of their strategy. When he is not working on strategy communication, Shawn is helping leaders find and tell business stories to engage, to influence and to inspire. Shawn works with Global 1000 companies including Shell, IBM, SAP, Bayer, Microsoft & Danone. Connect with Shawn on:

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