2010 April | The Brainscape Blog: Learn How to Learn Faster

The benefits of self-assessment

By Andrew Cohen, 4/16/2010 at 4:43 pm

Most online study tools use rigid multiple-choice, matching, or short-answer quizzes to provide feedback for which questions you answered “right” or “wrong”. But what if your readiness for a test (or other type of performance) could be better measured using varying degrees of right and wrong for each concept? What if a study tool could let you determine your level of readiness for each exam concept, by simply trusting you to answer the question: “How well did you know this?” (more…)

Comments (7)

Introducing ICE – the most efficient way to learn a foreign language

By Andrew Cohen, at 4:40 pm

We’ve all had excuses for not learning a foreign language faster. For some of us, we simply don’t have time to study. For others, we lack the motivation. For still others among us, we find it difficult to “pick up where we left off” after a long break from learning. Well Brainscape is proud to introduce Brainscape Spanish (iTunes), the first of many packages that will help solve all of these problems once and for all. As explained in a new white paper, our revolutionary new web/mobile study method – known as Intelligent Cumulative Exposure (ICE) – makes learning a foreign language faster, more efficient, and more convenient than ever before. (more…)

Comments (7)

Why practicing speaking a foreign language will help you understand it better

By Andrew Cohen, 4/8/2010 at 4:41 pm

If you are seriously attempting to learn a foreign language, someone has probably recommended that you watch movies, read books, or listen to music in that language in order to speed up your learning. Well, if you are already an advanced learner on the brink of proficiency, they are probably right. But if you are a beginner or intermediate learner, you will be much better served by actually practicing speaking that language, no matter how badly you speak it. (more…)

Comments (7)

Don’t believe the hype. Translation is a GREAT language-learning activity

By Andrew Cohen, at 4:39 pm

You’ve heard it before. “You should learn your second language just like you learned your first – in the target language only, with no translation or grammar explanations.” This “total immersion” dogma is repeated religiously by some of today’s best-selling language software programs and courses. But is it really the most efficient way for adults to learn a second language? (more…)