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Amazon Web Services (AWS) and SXSW EDU collaborate to issue a challenge, the edtech world.
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Blast Learning helps students remember information they learned, while identifying and filling in knowledge gaps.
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Edtech companies across the U.S. submitted innovative ideas to bolster student learning, teacher productivity, accessibility and the home-school connection.
When Amazon Web Services (AWS) and SXSW EDU collaborate to issue a challenge, the edtech world answers. In July 2019, the Amazon Alexa EdTech Skills Challenge gave developers a chance to make cutting-edge Alexa skills for creative educational improvements. Edtech companies across the U.S. submitted innovative ideas to bolster student learning, teacher productivity, accessibility and the home-school connection. The winners for this competition will be decided in two parts: the Judge’s Choice award and the People’s Choice award.
An expert panel of judges has already narrowed down the competition to six finalists, based on each skill’s innovation, impact, usability and stickiness factor. One finalist from this group—Blast Learning, Healthy Teen Network, NuMoola, SayKid, StrongMind or VOGO Voice—will win the Judge’s Choice award, receiving $50,000 in AWS Promotional Credit to help bring their next big idea to life. Voting is now open for the People’s Choice award, where the winner will receive $25,000 in AWS Promotional Credit. Cast your vote by May 15, 2020 to be eligible to win an Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen).
Learn more: HOW THE REMOTE LEARNING PIVOT COULD SHAPE HIGHER ED IT .
“Blast Learning Alexa skill quizzes students in a way that helps them ace the test on a current unit and then continues to periodically quiz them on the material until the knowledge and skills become durable”.
~ Bruce Lewolt, Founder Blast Learning.
Blast Learning helps students remember information they learned, while identifying and filling in knowledge gaps. Leveraging research on how to accelerate long-term memory formation, “the Blast Learning Alexa skill quizzes students in a way that helps them ace the test on a current unit and then continues to periodically quiz them on the material until the knowledge and skills become durable. Along the way, when a learning gap is discovered, the skill re-teaches that information and provides additional reinforcement,” explains Bruce Lewolt, Founder of Blast Learning.
“When Blast asks a question that the learner can’t answer, the concept is retaught before engaging in memory enhancing activities. Blast adapts to each learner’s unique set of gaps as well as their unique forgetting curve,”.
“When Blast asks a question that the learner can’t answer, the concept is retaught before engaging in memory enhancing activities. Blast adapts to each learner’s unique set of gaps as well as their unique forgetting curve,” he adds. We know that studying effectively requires focused, dedicated time and consistency. Voice technology provides students flexible and easier access to studying through portable devices or smartphones and does not require sitting in a fixed location. Learners can use this skill to study even while they exercise, which has been shown to supercharge the brain for learning, Lewolt described. “Imagine being able to jog and study at the same time. Now, imagine how good it would feel to know that jogging is a force multiplier for your studying!”
With a product backed by neuroscience and learning research, the folks at Blast Learning are excited to continue supporting all kinds of learners in academic and professional contexts. “Blast Learning can look across the study requirements for all of a student’s courses and build a prioritized, personalized study schedule across all subjects,” Lewolt says. “Since Blast remembers everything a student has ever studied and learns the best way for that student to study, the intelligent application becomes a lifetime learning resource for students.”
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