Definition
The ability of a learner to hold onto knowledge and skills over time and recall or apply them accurately when needed. Retention is influenced by how meaningfully the material was learned, how often it is used or reviewed, the learner's motivation and attitude, and the way the instruction was originally presented.
Plain English
How well a student remembers what they were taught — and can still use it correctly later, not just right after the lesson.
Context Anchor
Seen in instructor training, lesson planning, review flights, and decisions about whether a student is ready to move on or needs more practice.
Derivation
Retention comes from the Latin retinere, meaning 'to hold back' or 'keep.' In learning, it is the act of keeping knowledge in the mind rather than letting it slip away.
Why Pilots Care
Poor retention leads to forgotten procedures that can compromise safety during actual flight.
Intuition Check
Retention of learning does not mean the student once heard the lesson or passed a quick check. It means the student can still use the knowledge or skill correctly later.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor scheduled short reviews at the start of each lesson to improve retention of learning from previous flights.
Example Sentence 2
A pre-solo quiz helps assess retention of learning before the student flies alone.