Memrise

Just picked up this link via Twitter:

http://www.memrise.com/about/

The team say:

"At Memrise, we're integrating everything we know about the art and science of memory to help you learn faster. Memrise is based in Cambridge, MA and was founded by Greg Detre, a PhD neuroscientist from Princeton, and Ed Cooke, a Grandmaster of Memory. From the science of memory, Dr. Detre brings an acute understanding of how best to strengthen memories, by testing and reviewing them over time in the most efficient manner. From the art of memory, Grandmaster Cooke brings an understanding of how learning rejoices in anything that is pithy, colourful, humorous, fantastical, attractive, scary, important, unusual or vivid.
We think that learning can be a special kind of creative pleasure, and we're building impeccable learning products that will help you learn quicker and more creatively than you ever thought possible."

How is it meant to work?

 They say:

"The more your brain does to encode a word, the richer and more robust the memory that results. Memrise has been designed to help you form deep, vivid memories every time. We do this by providing you with mems at the point where you first encounter a new word. Mems are vivid images or nuggets of interesting and relevant information that help deepen the way your brain engages with what you're learning. They work best when they stimulate your senses, imagination and your emotions. Memories that result from such processing last longer, they stand out better and they are more enjoyable and satisfying to recall."

I've had a little go on the site, which is free, and it looks like quite a fun way for committed linguists to broaden their vocabulary. You can compete with others and it links with Facebook. There is a leadership boatrd and you have your own dashboard with your stats. Not sure how it works financially for the Memrise team yet as there are not any ads and there is no subsciption.

It all comes from Cambridge, Mass, USA.