Students Can Learn or Memorize Subconciously With Swiftword

Always on the look out for educational technology I came across this interesting application. A different way to learn and memorize information...

tachistoscope
n. An apparatus that projects a series of images onto a screen at rapid speed to test visual perception, memory, and learning.

Take this model and turn into a computer application that you can run on a desktop and you have Swiftword. As described by its developer Swiftword is..

"Swiftword is my version of a text based tachistoscope application. Essentially it is a speed reader - you feed it a text file containing the content you want to memorize, and play the file through at progressively faster speeds. Eventually, your subconscious begins to anticipate the next word before it is even delivered as your memory begins to retain the information. This can be used to help you memorize things like speeches and course notes, and can even assist slow readers to speed up through coaching to avoid sub-vocalising words as you read."

Students could use this novel application to memorize all sorts of academic information in preparation for a test or presentation. Not that this is the only way to memorize, (visually, contextually, etc.), but this certainly is a wonderful way to use the technology the student of today is attracted to. Further, this application might have uses for reading skills. It would be interesting to see Swiftword's impact on reading speed and fluency.

Comments

[Dean Heard]

The actual name of the application is "Swiftword". There was a typo in the description referring to the earlier, work in progress name of "Swiftscope" (since fixed).