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.

May
27th

Get Better at Spelling With Mnemonics

Categories: Spelling Resources, Tips and Tricks |
Get Better at Spelling With Mnemonics


Studying hard and practicing your spelling can help you become better at that particular skill. But sometimes you need to study smarter and not harder. Mnemonics are fun memory aids that you can use to help you recall the correct spelling of words.

Mnemonics can be phonetic, rhyming, name-creating, based on a keyword, or using an expression you create based on the first letter of the word.

Here are some tips for creating and using mnemonic techniques. They’ll help you get the right spelling, every time.

Acrostic Mnemonics for Spelling

An acrostic is an invented expression where the first letter of each word can be put together to form another word. For example, you can remember the spelling of ‘necessary’ with this acrostic:

“Never Eat Chips, Eat Salad Sandwiches And Remain Young!” (H/T to EduBlox)

Here are some other widely used acrostics for frequently misspelled words:

Because – Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants

Arithmetic – A Rat In The House May Eat The Ice Cream

Chili -  Cats Have Interesting Little Ideas

Ocean -  Only Cats’ Eyes Are Narrow

Caught – Cats Always Use Great Heavy Toilets (H/T to LadayLumleys School)

Argument – A Rude Girl Undresses; My Eyes Need Taping!

Rhythm – Rhythm Helps Your Two Hips Move

Pretty – Pretty Red Elephants Turned Totally Yellow

 

A Word in a Word: Nestable Spelling

Apart from acrostics, there are many other ways you can recall a word’s spelling effortlessly. Here are some well-known examples using the “word nesting” technique:

A piece of pie.

There’s a rat in separate.

Jealousy is a lousy feeling!

What has a hat in it.

You use your ears to hear.

You eat meat when dining alone, but not when you meet a friend in the street.

Take the bus to your business.

A secretary has a secret.

Liam went to the House of Parliament.

Don’t believe any lies.

A friend is there to the end.

There’s an eight in height and weight.

Please be quiet about my diet!

Soldiers sometimes die in battle.

Double-letter Mnemonics

You can also make fun associations to remember the spelling of words with double letters by linking them to images.

In the kennel you’ll find accommodation for two cats, two mice and a dog.

There are two sugars in a dessert.

Can you come up with a mnemonic for words that give you trouble? Think of a different mnemonic for each of the words, “trouble”, “guarantee” and “sculpture”. Here our own ideas to give you some food for thought.

Trouble – Teresa Regrets Owning Umbrella Bought Last Easter

Guarantee Under two Antennas, Two Ears are Hidden.

Sculpture – Sculpture is a 3D picture.

Mnemonics will help you retrieve the correct spelling of a word from the back of your brain, and can also help you remember a fact, or a list of words, more easily.

When you’re practicing your spelling, make sure you use this spelling technique when you have trouble learning a word’s spelling. You can use mnemonics to improve your memory for almost anything: people, names, faces, and facts. You can use mnemonics to remember things such as the names of the Supreme Court Justices of the US:

Studying Scandals Keeps The Giant Bride Robots All Sober
Stevens, Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, Ginsburg, Breyer, Roberts, Alito, Sotomayor

Or for remembering the classification animals in biology:

King Phillip Could Only Find Green Socks
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

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