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Many people unfamiliar with SuperMemo wonder what MemAid is, and how MemAid can be helpful in learning. In this article I presume you know nothing about SuperMemo, nor much about memory. In simple words I write about MemAid and optimum repetitions without discussing algorithms or other technical stuff. Most credit belongs to Hermann Ebbinghaus, Dr Piotr Wozniak, and other human memory researchers.
Well, first and most important thing: we all *forget*. We forget PIN-numbers, phone numbers, things we learn in school, at university, etc. It's obvious, isn't it? We remember nothing forever. That is, even if you do remember something through your life it's only because you repeatedly recall that fact or information. If something is important to you, you will think about it from time to time - these repetitions will reinforce your remembering of this fact. Some things we repeat while not being fully conscious (e.g. while dreaming). But let's make it clear: we would forget even own names without repetitions.
Clear? OK, let's move on.
While learning anything (e.g. study/school) we have the same problem. What is the solution for forgetting? Yeah, I heard you you said "repetititions". Correct. But hey, there is another problem: we want to learn new things, but we have to repeat older things to not forget them. The problem is: how much time to spend on repetition? If we spend too much we will repeat things we already well remember (wasting our time). If we spend too little time, we will forget some things.. Not good...