Science-based Adaptive Learning Improving Educational Outcomes at all Levels of Education

In this talk, Hedderik van Rijn will discuss the SlimStampen/MemoryLab adaptive learning system which is in use with 2 million students. The SlimStampen/MemoryLab system is based on computational memory theories, tracing the knowledge states of individual elements studied by the learner. By presenting the items just before they are forgotten, optimal spacing is obtained, increasing scores on post-test – both in the lab and in class-room settings – by 10 to 20%. We have extended this system to allow for the assessment of Mastery of the knowledge materials, allowing this tool to be used as an alternative to formative testing of declarative knowledge. Based on collaborations with large international publishing houses (e.g., Noordhoff’s Infinitas Learning, Klett und Balmer), large dataset of study materials are collected that are used to refine the adaptive learning system, and propose alternatives to existing computational memory models, bringing the research to full circle.

This activity may count towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) if relevant to your situation.

About the trainer

Prof.dr. Hedderik van Rijn is chair of Cognitive Science and Neuroscience at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. After his MSc at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and the Radboud University in Nijmegen, he obtained his PhD from the University of Amsterdam and spent two years as a research associate at Carnegie Mellon University before starting at the department of Artificial Intelligence and later Experimental Psychology in Groningen. Van Rijn uses formal modelling approaches to better understand cognitive processes in applied and fundamental contexts. One of his lines of work focuses on the role of timing processes in cognitive tasks, for which he was awarded a VICI grant of the Dutch Science Foundation. Another line of research is focussed on using computational memory models in educational and clinical settings. The former has resulted in the University of Groningen spin-out MemoryLab (registered name: SlimStampen B.V.) of which he is scientific director. In collaboration with international publishing houses and knowledge institutes, MemoryLab allows over 2 million students to study declarative facts in a more efficient way, increasing motivation and reducing exam anxiety. The computational memory model also allows for the precise assessment of memory deficiencies, which has led to the development of the Seattle-Groningen Memory Assessment (SGMA). The tool is distributed by a secondary spin-off of the University of Groningen (in collaboration with the University of Washington) and currently being evaluated in numerous clinical settings, for example at the Alzheimer Disease Research Center in Seattle; the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; the Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, Germany; and the University Medical Center of the Universität München, Germany. Van Rijn’s work has been funded by, a.o., grants from the European Research Council, the Dutch Science Foundation, and the European Office of Aerospace Research & Development (EOARD). Van Rijn is also involved in numerous outreach projects, from record-breaking interactive museum exhibitions to theater performances related to his research, and from TV-features on his work to lecture series on science for elementary school pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Accessibility
At EDLAB, we strive to make our activities as accessible as possible and do our best to make accommodations when possible. You will have the opportunity to indicate any accessibility requirements after registration.

Note about the costs
EDLAB is currently offering all professional development activities free of charge. Please note however that we have paid to develop and offer this session together with the trainers, so if you sign up but cannot attend, we would greatly appreciate it if you could give us at least 5 days’ notice so that we can advertise your spot to others who may be interested. Cancellation without at least 5 days’ notice or failure to show up may result in your department being charged the full cost price.

EDLAB reserves the right to postpone this event should a minimum of 6 participants not be reached.

Activity full or can’t make this date? Then sign up for the waiting list and we’ll let you know as soon as this event is scheduled again.