Why the JWM study system works
Japanese WordMage is an invaluable tool to assist students in memorising vocabulary and Kanji - two profoundly important aspects in learning the Japanese language. JWM does this by using a scientifically proven method of optimising both the learning and maintenance of this knowledge.

Studies have shown that within a month of learning a new set of information, a typical student's retention rate will be as low as 20%, and that most of this loss occurs within the first 24 hours (see graph). Revision is therefore an essential part of an effective study regime, and is the key to good long-term retention. Japanese WordMage automates this revision process using the power of computer technology. It consistently reinforces all your previously mastered vocabulary (and their Kanji) by progressively including them in exercises, keeping you up-to-date with all the words you learned in previous sessions. This process effectively neutralises the natural loss of recall which occurs over time. This constant boost to recall contrasts with the typical curve of forgetting - it would not be optimistic to expect a 400% - 500% boost in learning from this learning plan. In addition to this auto-revision system, JWM actively learns about your knowledge as you do exercises, and then uses this information to dynamically adapt to your learning rate, forgetting rate and base skill level. So to continue building your base skill level, all you need do is periodically select new words to learn, and the JWM study system does the rest.

Recall is enhanced if there is a short space between presentations of the same material, as well as a test if learning was successful. This trains the short-term memory. Spaced practice then trains the long-term memory. "Thus you would learn (for example, a new foreign word) and test (or rehearse) immediately, within the span of the short-term memory. Then learn and rehearse the second item again within the soft-term memory span. Then you would go back, after an interval, to the first item. You've achieved immediate rehearsal and also spaced practice.

Furthermore, if you test yourself and succeed in recalling the correct answer, you memory for those facts will be considerable strengthened compared to merely having the information given to you. Active involvement is always a more powerful memory enhancer than passive learning."1

In JWM, you actually write down Kana and Kanji whilst doing exercises. This trains your writing hand in character construction and also adds the element of involvement. JWM uses a unique handwritten-style font to provide good examples of character structure. Students need real-life practice in writing Japanese on paper as they would when constructing a sentence - trying to write on a computer screen with the mouse (or simply looking at written words) is not enough. In addition, JWM trains both recall and recognition - many systems only train recognition (ie. often using multiple choice questions and answers). There is a significant distinction between these two memory systems - recall is generally a much more powerful and useful type of memory. Psychologists often refer to the 'tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon' to illustrate the difference. This is the common experience of feeling that you know a name, yet are unable to recall it accurately and completely.

Being able to recognise Kanji is great when you're reading some Japanese text, but what about when you have to write something? Recall provides that ability. It also helps improve recognition by adding greater detail to memories - this goes toward reducing the annoying problem of being able to remember most of a Kanji character, but maybe getting one radical component wrong.

"The reason that a list of items learned in picture form is more easily learned than an equivalent list of printed words is that the former are learned visually as well as verbally. A picture list involves what psychologists call dual encoding - and we know that the stronger the encoding the more durable the memory and the easier the recall. In fact, the ideal is not just dual but multi-sense encoding."1

JWM uses multi-sense encoding as an integral part of its exercise system. Both pictures and sounds can be attached to any word - this provides students with direct aural stimulation (either as the Japanese pronunciation of a word or an appropriate sound effect) as well as visual stimulation (in the form of a full color picture). These additional elements can help make studying Japanese a lot more fun too.

"Outstanding elements have been measured to increase our arousal level and our attention - and you will always remember something better if it is presented in a way that either focusses increased attention or is arousing to one or other of your senses or emotions."1

With JWM, you can both tailor dictionaries to your own Japanese language course as well as inspire your students with creative multimedia coursework. For example, you could use a series of Japanese cartoons from magazines (ie. Mangajin), cut and paste from multimedia CD-ROMs (ie. Microsoft Encarta), scan photos of fruit and vegetables, create a farmyard dictionary (with real baaas, moos and cocadoodle-doos), use an Apple Quicktake camera to build a geographic dictionary of Japan, etc, etc.

Set your imagination on fire.

Bibliography

1. ROSE, C. Accelerated Learning Topaz Publishing, Great Britain, 1985

2. RUSSELL, P. The Brain Book London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1980

3. BUZAN, T. Use Your Head Ariel Books, BBC Publications, 1980

4. DIAGRAM GROUP The Brain User Manual Berkeley Books, 1981

5. KRASHEN, S., and TERRELL, T. The Natural Approach to Language Acquisition Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1983

6. WENGER, W. How to Increase Your Intelligence 1980

7. SHIFFRIN, R.M. Models in Human Memory 1970