Counting days is a spacing incentive that unlocks the potential of low GPA students

npj Science of Learning. Evidence that learning systems can change practice behavior, not only deliver content.

Authors: Iman YeckehZaare, Paul Resnick · Venue/status: npj Science of Learning · Year: 2025 · DOI · PDF

This paper studies a small incentive-design change in a retrieval-practice tool: rewarding students for practicing on more days, rather than only for answering more questions. The design targeted spacing behavior directly while preserving student autonomy over when to practice. The result matters because it shows that learning infrastructure can shape behavior. Adaptive learning is not only about recommending content; it is also about designing the conditions under which learners actually practice.

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