Final answer:
The learning curve measures the rate at which a person becomes proficient at a task over time, and is evaluated through performance improvement or knowledge gain, often implemented in training and productivity assessments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The learning curve measures the rate at which a person becomes proficient at a task over time. When we operationalize learning, we consider both the use of technology (such as through a computer program) and traditional methods (like learning from an in-person math teacher) to gauge improvement in performance or knowledge. For instance, in an experiment where participants spend 45 minutes learning algebra via different methods and subsequently take a test, we evaluate the rate of learning over time. This understanding is also built on concepts such as memory retention and forgetting, evidenced by the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve which reflects how memory decays over time. In business, similar concepts are used to ensure personnel training is effective and to measure productivity changes as skills improve.