The Science
7spell is scientifically designed, and utilizes principles based on decades of research in learning, retention, and psychology. Here is a summary of the theory and research behind 7spell's effectiveness.
Craik, F., and Tulving, E. "Depth of processing and the retention of words in episodic memory." Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, Vol 104(3) (1975): 268-294. Print and PDF. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.104.3.268
In this seminal study performed at the University of Toronto, Canada, the authors performed a series of tests in which they gave the study participants a sequence of words to learn, with information related to each word as it appeared in order. They discovered that when the information provided stimulated the participant's brain to process the word on a more involved level (referred to as "deep encoding" or "degree of elaboration" in the study), that word was more effectively learned and remembered. With 7spell, the user is given a wide range of additional information about each spelling word, including the word's definition - one of the key factors in enhanced memory, according to this study - as well as usage examples, synonyms, and antonyms.
Garcia, S.M., Tor, A., and Schiff, T.M. "The Psychology of Competition: A Social Comparison Perspective." Perspectives on Psychological Science, November 2013, 8(6):634-650. Print and web. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1745691613504114
Each person is influenced by a unique set of factors related to their own status and progress towards goals, but is also affected to a greater or lesser degree by the achievements and perceived standards of the people around them. This analysis of past and current studies looks at the way people view and are motivated by individual goals as well as societal achievement (competition). The authors conclude that effective use of motivational strategies must take both into account. This is something that 7spell accomplishes by providing each user with the ability to set personal goals, earn reward points, and view their own progress tracking reports, and also to publish all of those results on public social media platforms.
Kivetz, R., Urminsky, O., and Zheng, Y. "The Goal-Gradient Hypothesis Resurrected: Purchase Acceleration, Illusionary Goal Progress, and Customer Retention." Journal of Marketing Research, February 2006, 43(1):39-58. Web. http://dx.doi.org/10.1509/jmkr.43.1.39
In a study focusing on the influence of reward-scheme programs on behavior, the authors found that when people see visible progress towards their goals they are more likely to increase the activity required to reach those goals. The study also confirms that most people are also motivated by receiving rewards for completing specific activities, even if those rewards are not immediately transferable to actual material or monetary benefits. Status points, rewards, and real-time progress tracking are all methods used in 7spell to encourage frequent spelling practice by awarding points for the completion of exercises and activities. Because the user can access their progress charts at any time, they will always be able to see how close they are to achieving their personal spelling goals.
Buton, M., Winterbauer, N., and Todd, T. "Relapse processes after the extinction of instrumental learning: Renewal, resurgence, and reacquisition." Behavioural Processes, May 2012, 90(1): 130–141. Print and web. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2012.03.004
Instrumental learning, also called "operant conditioning," is a method by which behaviors are learned in connection with a stimulus, a reward, or both. In this research done at the University of Vermont, the authors studied the ways in which the information connected to a specific behavior is retained when the stimulus is removed, and how subsequent repetition or reward reinforces information recall and a resumption of previously learned behaviors. They conclude that there are two primary methods of reinforcing active memory and behavior: by creating a different way to test the subject's memory, and by providing the opportunity for intensive focused repetition of that stimulus-behavior response. These two methods are widely used in the 7spell activities and games to create the link between instruction and memory that is so crucial in effective spelling learning on the student's part.
Xue, G., Mei, L., Chen, C., Lu, Z-L., Poldrack, R., Dong, Q. "Spaced Learning Enhances Subsequent Recognition Memory by Reducing Neural Repetition Suppression." Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 2011;23(7):1624-1633. Print and web. http://doi:10.1162/jocn.2010.21532
In this study comparing long-term and short-term memory, the study authors tested the neural activity of participants as they memorized a set of images. Half of the study participants used massed learning techniques, in which each new image was presented multiple times in a row; the other half were given the images in a spaced repetition mode, where the images were shown in alternating order. Although each participant saw each image the same number of times, the people in the spaced-repetition exercise were able to accurately remember more images, and for a longer period of time. Repetition is a key technique in learning spelling, and 7spell incorporates spaced repetition in two ways. First, the system uses randomized selection of spelling words from the user's current list to populate the activities and exercises, ensuring an interval between word reviews. Second, the system's Word Discover feature provides pop-up instant review of the words on that list, again in random order. By providing users with multiple opportunities throughout the day to read and review their words, 7spell provides all of the benefits of the spaced repetition methodology in its spelling instruction.
Blocki, J., Cranor, L., Datta, A., and Komanduri, S. "Spaced Repetition and Mnemonics Enable Recall of Multiple Strong Passwords." Cornell University Library, January 3, 2015. PDF. http://arxiv.org/abs/1410.1490v2
Spaced repetition is a memory training tool that relies on frequent and consistent review of information; mnemonics is a memory technique that involves multiple ways of looking at that information, such as the incorporation of images or story lines. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University focused on the combination of spaced repetition and mnemonics in evaluating how best to train people to remember specific pieces of information: computer passwords. They found that by combining the two methodologies, the results in both ease of learning and retention were increased. 7spell uses each method separately and together to help users learn and remember new spelling words by using the same words in multiple exercises, presenting spelling words in a variety of formats, and encouraging users to add information related to each word to make a personal connection that helps them to remember that word and its correct spelling.
Whether you ask professors, high school teachers, newspaper editors, or human resource managers at leading companies, you’ll get the same answer: yes, there are words that they frequently see misspelled and yes, every time they see those misspelled words it does create a negative impression. Professors and teachers will sigh and get out their red pens to mark your papers (and their grade books). Newspaper editors will chuckle and toss your “letter to the editor” into the trash; if you’re the writer responsible for a badly-written article, they’ll call you up to their desk for a few choice words on the use of a dictionary. Misspelled words in your cover letter or résumé mean that your job application will end up in the “reject” pile on the HR desk, rather than in a folder headed for the manager’s consideration. With all that in mind, don’t you think it would be a good idea to check through this list of frequently misspelled words and make sure that you learn and memorize the correct spellings? We’ve given you a few hints on how to remember the right way to spell the words.
argument
Don’t forget to drop the E off the word “argue” when adding the suffix.
believe
Here’s one time you can use the “I before E” rule to remember the spelling.
changeable
Remember that the pronunciation of “change” doesn’t change even after the suffix is added, so you’ll need to keep the E in this word.
collectible
Things that are collectible are often unusual, and it’s unusual here that the word is pronounced ABLE but is written IBLE.
discipline
If you look hard, you’ll see the silent C in this word – don’t leave it out!
exhilaration
Think of the similar word “exhale” where the H is pronounced, and you’ll remember to include the H in this word, where it isn’t pronounced.
fiery
Reverse the last two letters in “fire” before adding the Y and you won’t get burned.
guarantee
A guarantee is a promise YOU make and YOU must promise to keep the U in this word.
harass
If someone is harassing you, they’re giving you a hard time. Remember that there’s only one R in “hard,” and only one R in this word too.
independent
Think of huge ant colonies, where you never see a single ant alone. That will help you remember that the last three letters of this word are NOT “ant.”
judgment
A judgment often includes a punishment or a fine. Imagine that you’re being fined the loss of a letter, and lose the E from the end of the word “judge.”
lightning
The word “lightning” is the flash of visible electricity during a storm. The word “lightening” means “to make lighter in color or weight.” Be sure you’re using the word you really want here.
mischievous
Pronounce this word correctly as MISS-chih-vuss and you won’t be tempted to misspell it as “mischeevious.”
perseverance
Pronunciation will help here, too: keep trying hard to remember that there’s no R before the V and you’ll soon succeed.
twelfth
The consonant cluster might look unpronounceable but when you learn to enunciate the L and the F and the TH sounds all together in a row, you’ll also remember how to spell the word.
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