What is Brainpower?
Brainpower is a training tool that enables users to train their knowledge in a smart way. It is based on Ebbinghaus’s forgetting curve and spaced repetition learning. By training at intervals and based on learning objectives, users ensure that knowledge is stored in their long-term memory rather than fading away.
Several concepts form the foundation of Brainpower. Below, we highlight these concepts and explain how they are interconnected.
Learning objectives: With Brainpower, users train based on learning objectives. These objectives are used to measure knowledge retention and knowledge level.
Knowledge retention: This measures how many of the learning objectives users have demonstrated they understand. If two consecutive questions within a learning objective are answered correctly, it indicates that the learning objective at some point has been understood. The value for knowledge retention never decreases.
Knowledge level: Since knowledge fades over time (according to the forgetting curve), it is important that users continue to train. The knowledge level measures knowledge in the long-term memory. The more a user trains in Brainpower and the better they perform on learning objectives, the higher their knowledge level becomes. If a user stops training for a while, their knowledge level will decrease again.
How does Brainpower work?
By training with Brainpower, a user works towards a higher score in knowledge retention and knowledge level for each learning objective. Here's how it works:
In a new training session, Brainpower presents one question per learning objective.
If the user answers a question correctly, their knowledge retention and knowledge level for that objective will increase.
If the user answers a question incorrectly, Brainpower will offer another question from that objective in the next training session.
By default, each training session includes 10 questions, but users can choose to increase or decrease this number.
Scores for learning objectives decline over time (the knowledge level decreases). Brainpower will present the learning objectives with the lowest scores again as soon as the user resumes training.
How do I create a Brainpower collection?
To use Brainpower, you need learning objectives with questions. These are compiled in a collection. Read here how to create such a collection.
How are learning objectives trained?
Brainpower takes a cross-collection approach to learning objectives. If learning objectives in a (new) collection have previously appeared in another training or collection, the results from those sessions are carried over into the new collection. Learning objectives are trained across all collections and learning activities.
Brainpower as an exam trainer
It is possible to set an end date in Brainpower. With this option, the tool works slightly differently than described above: Brainpower aims for a 70% knowledge level across all learning objectives in the collection before the end date.
In this case, Brainpower will present as many questions as needed in each training session to sufficiently train all learning objectives before the deadline. This means that a user may receive (significantly) more than 10 questions in a session.
It is up to the user to ensure they complete enough Brainpower training sessions in time to reach the required knowledge level.