What does 'recency' imply in the context of the laws of learning?

In the context of the laws of learning, the concept of 'recency' refers to the phenomenon that information or skills learned most recently tend to be retained better by the learner. This suggests that the order in which information is presented impacts retention, with a stronger emphasis on the last items or concepts introduced in a learning session.

When new information is presented, it is not merely the content that affects retention but also the timing of that information in relation to other learned material. The idea is that learners are more likely to remember what they encountered last, making it essential for instructors to strategically place key points or practices toward the end of a learning session to enhance retention.

The other options do not accurately reflect the principle of recency. While learning retention can indeed be influenced by the sequence of information presented, stating that all learning must occur in a single session or that learning is unchanged over time does not align with established understanding of how memory works. Understanding the recency effect can help instructors structure their lessons in a way that maximizes their students' retention of material.