Andrew Cohen- Brainscape
Andrew Cohen in the founder and CEO of Brainscape, an online tool compatible with mobile devices that allows students to create flashcards to increase information retention and to help studying. Brainscape allows users to create their own content or choose from a wide variety of pre-made content. Users go through their flashcards, and after answering, they rate how confident they were on their answer. Depending on how confident the user was, the flashcard will show up more or less frequently (if the user was confident, the card would not show up as much as if the user was not confident). Therefore, Brainscape determines how much repetition a user will need to learn each flashcard.
Andrew Cohen drafted the first version of Brainscape while trying to teach himself French during his stay in Martinique. Cohen’s goal was to study verb conjugations, but wanted a way to focus on the verbs that he was unsure of the most. His original version was an Excel-based program that ran off of a simple algorithm, but that was time-consuming because he needed to sort the verbs. Cohen eventually enrolled in an Educational Technology program at Columbia University to work on this venture. He focused his class projects and assignments on the development of Brainscape. Cohen also used this program as a tool for networking and gaining the skills needed to assemble a qualified team after graduation. The 9 person management team and the 3 key advisors are made up of individuals that have educational backgrounds and/or considerable experience in the field of educational technologies. Their individual roles focus on their strengths related to mobile devices, marketing, etc. Together, these individuals form a very strong, well-balanced group of leaders with the ability to cover many different aspects of ensuring that this venture succeeds.
References:
About brainscape. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.brainscape.com/marketing/about.html
*I was unable to upload a photo of Andrew Cohen, so please visit http://www.brainscape.com/marketing/about.html to view a photo of Andrew Cohen.
Posted in: Week 04: Entrepreneur Bootcamp
kstackhouse 8:36 am on September 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Very interesting app. The ability to create the flashcards to modify the content to the user’s interests/needs is a great idea. I think even the process of creating the cards/slides would help the learner. They would have to go over their material and decide what is most relevant. Can a user share their study cards with another user? That would be a great feature.
Ken
tomwhyte1 10:42 am on September 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thank you for providing an overview regarding the rationale of this products creation, I like the fact that some are trying to answer a problem that exists, instead of trying to force a product into a market that may not require it, or even want it.
Secondly, I like the fact that this is a mobile device app. Which would allow students to access the information in a variety of locations, and also provides students with the opportunity to start using their personal devices and educational tools, not personal toys.
Lastly, I was wondering if this is web based, or app based. If app based, what technologies do they currently support?
melissaayers 10:40 am on September 29, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Its interesting that he created a product because it was something he needed himself. It seems when entrepreneurs design something that they want/need themselves it can result in some great products. I am sure this is something Steve Jobs had in mind when he developed many of Apple’s devices, that he tried to create something he wanted to use rather than try to imagine what the customer would want.
visramn 8:31 pm on September 30, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I had never heard of this resource. I think it is great. Unfortunately, testing is a big part of education and that results in students needing to memorize information. This is a great means of helping students to learn content and to remember it. You mentioned that the program even recognizes what the student is doing well with and what needs more work. Then goes on and adapts the flashcard being used to help them student to work on what they are weaker with. That is great!!! The age old means of using flashcards is difficult if you do not have another individual working with you and asking you questions. That means also does not help you to focus on concepts you are struggling with more. Brainscape can allow a student to work independently and also can help them to zero in on their areas of need.
It is also interesting to see so many educators involved with this tool.
Thank you so much for sharing this resource. I am truly interested in this tool.
Nureen