Smart.fm
Encyclopedia
Smart.fm was a social learning
- and community website created by Cerego Japan, Inc. The website used spaced repetition algorithms
(SRS) to assist users in committing facts to long term memory and increasing learning speed. Users could create, manage and share lists of facts to memorize; as well as learn a number of languages. Progress could be monitored with tests. The data was used to automatically plan a curriculum and learning strategy for the users.
In addition to the website base, Smart.fm also had a Facebook application.
and attracted roughly 300,000 users in its first year. On November 24 2008 the platform turned to world-wide audience when it added another 188 languages. The upgrade also included tools for users to create learning content; sample sentences and timed tests. Cerego had raised USD$20 million in funding at the time and was staffed by 22 employees.
The site's name was changed to Smart.fm on March 5 2009 when the platform introduced an upgrade which enabled users to add learning content of any kind. The re-branding was sudden, and users complained about the new interface
and new name. About the new name, Cerego software developer
Russell Moench explained in an official announcement: "we see ourselves more like your personal learning station than an online classroom or teacher or textbook."
techniques to assist users in organizing learning content, increase learning speed and improve recollection. The system was based on established methods of learning derived from cognitive
- and neuroscience
research; continuously analyzing performance, on a long- and short-term basis, making dynamic adjustments to learning exercises. The data was used to automatically plan a curriculum
and learning strategy for the users.
Smart.fm's explanation (including a video) of their technology can be found on their website or in this YouTube video.
Social learning
Social learning may refer to:* Observational learning , learning that occurs as a function of observing, retaining and replicating behavior observed in ones environment or other people....
- and community website created by Cerego Japan, Inc. The website used spaced repetition algorithms
Spaced repetition
Spaced repetition is a learning technique that incorporates increasing intervals of time between subsequent review of previously learned material; this exploits the psychological spacing effect...
(SRS) to assist users in committing facts to long term memory and increasing learning speed. Users could create, manage and share lists of facts to memorize; as well as learn a number of languages. Progress could be monitored with tests. The data was used to automatically plan a curriculum and learning strategy for the users.
In addition to the website base, Smart.fm also had a Facebook application.
History
Smart.fm was created by Japan-based company Cerego Japan, Inc., initially featuring language-learning and branded under the name iKnow! (iKnow.co.jp). The original platform focused on English learners in JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and attracted roughly 300,000 users in its first year. On November 24 2008 the platform turned to world-wide audience when it added another 188 languages. The upgrade also included tools for users to create learning content; sample sentences and timed tests. Cerego had raised USD$20 million in funding at the time and was staffed by 22 employees.
The site's name was changed to Smart.fm on March 5 2009 when the platform introduced an upgrade which enabled users to add learning content of any kind. The re-branding was sudden, and users complained about the new interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
and new name. About the new name, Cerego software developer
Software developer
A software developer is a person concerned with facets of the software development process. Their work includes researching, designing, developing, and testing software. A software developer may take part in design, computer programming, or software project management...
Russell Moench explained in an official announcement: "we see ourselves more like your personal learning station than an online classroom or teacher or textbook."
Technology
Cerego's Smart.fm used spaced repetitionSpaced repetition
Spaced repetition is a learning technique that incorporates increasing intervals of time between subsequent review of previously learned material; this exploits the psychological spacing effect...
techniques to assist users in organizing learning content, increase learning speed and improve recollection. The system was based on established methods of learning derived from cognitive
Cognitive science
Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary scientific study of mind and its processes. It examines what cognition is, what it does and how it works. It includes research on how information is processed , represented, and transformed in behaviour, nervous system or machine...
- and neuroscience
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
research; continuously analyzing performance, on a long- and short-term basis, making dynamic adjustments to learning exercises. The data was used to automatically plan a curriculum
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
and learning strategy for the users.
Smart.fm's explanation (including a video) of their technology can be found on their website or in this YouTube video.