High tech
learning the Edunomics way
While the proliferation
of distance learning courses might hail a learning revolution, one company claims
to alter the essence of learning itself. Edunomics produces software aimed at
helping students learn faster -- 5.4 times faster, to be precise. If successful,
such an accelerated learning speed would have far-reaching implications for students,
teachers and companies.
Roger Cassidy,
executive consultant at Edunomics, explains that Edunomics' self-adjusting, customized
software programs allow learners to cover more ground in less time. The driving
principle behind Edunomics is "rapid knowledge acquisition" (RKA), which capitalizes
on the brain's natural ability to learn by association. Edunomics' artificial
intelligence (AI) engine complements this process by determining weak or missing
links, and automatically creates a study course to strengthen them. To illustrate,
Cassidy says, "I just have a regular phone line for my Internet connection. But
imagine the difference in information transfer speed if I change that to ISDN."
James Chen, Edunomics'
chief engineer and leader of Edunomics' research and development team in Taiwan,
says that in addition to utilizing a powerful AI engine, Edunomics' software employs
"statistics, data warehousing, and data mining. The basic principle is that the
system will monitor users' learning activities. Detailed information will be included
in the user profile which the system updates as it adjusts its actions or responses
to users. The system is automatically self-adjusting."
RKA is made possible
through association-based learning and the fact that an AI engine efficiently
guides, or "steers" the learner toward the goal of lasting, but accelerated learning.
Edunomics' software aims to optimize learning rates by customizing the ways in
which information is presented. Unfamiliar information is displayed more frequently,
in simple contexts, and for longer periods of time (for example, 5 seconds). Familiar
information is displayed less frequently, in increasingly difficult contexts,
and for shorter periods (e.g. 2 seconds). "The response in Japan has been very
enthusiastic because no one has ever seen a learning tool like this before --
a total integrated solution," says Cassidy. The 3 components of the software allow
customization from a knowledge profile: EduMaster5 is a tool for students enabling
thorough, rapid learning. EduVisor5 is for administration (professors, teachers,
and corporate training managers). Content developed using EduDev5, the development
tool, can be plugged into the system and learned using EduMaster5.
Cassidy cites a
movement to develop corporate intelligence and make greater investment in human
resources and corporate training as the appeal of Edunomics' software programs.
A visit to the Edunomics website reveals a wide variety of available topics. "The
learning system is content independent, providing the means to learn a range of
different content using one learning tool. Edunomics develops content with publishers,
and directly with universities and companies according to their specific needs,"
says Cassidy. Examples include everything from bank loan review procedures to
factory floor manufacturing processes to troubleshooting and computer programming.
Edunomics can also offer study modules in English, Chinese, Japanese, or any other
language, on demand.
Edunomics' software
applies to education as well as business. In a typical classroom, the teacher
is faced with the time-consuming task of evaluating the progress of twenty or
more students. That process can be automated. "At any time, a student, teacher,
or instructor, can view a real-time, in-depth evaluation of each student, or of
an entire class. A teacher could use this information to customize lectures to
focus on the areas that a class may be having difficulty with, and spend less
time on the areas the students are strong in," says Cassidy. He points out the
advantage of customized deadlines for each student. "Once a learning rate has
been determined, long term projections for each student are possible. For companies,
this feature enables them to predict training costs more accurately."
Shell-shocked students'
faces bathed in the blue glow of the computer screens might seem like a chilling
vision. But EduMaster5 is meant to enhance, rather than replace, regular classroom
lessons. Students pick up the information faster, using programs that cater specifically
to their individual needs. "We're trying to facilitate learning and make the lives
of teachers easier. It is clear that some content requires the guidance of an
instructor, and some does not," says Cassidy. With students' time freed up, that
leaves more time to hone skills and participate in discussions. Similarly, any
corporate training effort would have be complemented by face to face contact,
and by using Edunomics' offerings, trainees can pick up the required information
faster, improving efficiency.
Current projects
include an international research initiative in which the top universities around
the world will conduct learning experiments using Edunomics' research tools. Research
at the universities will involve measuring the learning rates of some of the best
traditional methods with computer-based training. Cassidy says," We are now sponsoring
independent research with our learning tools. We believe that since the results
are all measurable, this will provide international credibility to rapid knowledge
acquisition." This research deals primarily with language learning at three major
universities in Japan.
Although Edunomics'
products do not require an Internet connection, they emphasize the role of the
Internet in the knowledge acquisition revolution. "The Internet is a critical
part of our system," says Cassidy. He feels that as a delivery system, the Internet
is not being used to its fullest potential. "How can technology be used in ways
that actually improve education over the best that is presently available? Instead
of using the Internet to make up for non-ideal situations, how can technology
be used to improve learning even in an ideal situation where people and information
are immediately accessible? Given perfect access to people and information, how
can learning be accelerated? This is the crux of our endeavors."
Edunomics' software
is available on CD-ROM for Windows machines or can be installed on a corporation's
or university's intranet. There is no Macintosh version yet. A single student
pays about JPY54,000 per year for the Learning OS and about one years' worth of
content (average cost in a corporate or university structure). Prices for corporate
clients and universities vary depending upon the project. Edunomics offers customized
pricing based on training program duration, content requirements, and whether
the client requires a standalone or network configuration.
Edunomics http://www.edunomics.com
Tel: +81-3-3393-6677
Fax: +81-3-3393-6679
by Sara Galer sakagale@tky2.3web.ne.jp
Back
to Extras
Comments
or suggestions?
Contact cjmaster@cjmag.co.jp
|
