Problem Statement
In today's information age, there is more knowledge available than ever before, yet people struggle to keep up with the vast array of new insights across different domains. Traditional courses and search engines aim to vet this information, but there's a lack of high-quality automation processes to support continuous learning and professional development. EduQueue addresses this gap by leveraging research-based study techniques and advanced AI to create an easy-to-use tool for generating, managing, and studying "recall rounds" for the user.
Stack
EduQueue uses a Spring Boot backend with a MongoDB database, powered by OpenAI API, OpenCSV / Apache Commons, JWT, Jackson JSON, and features both a React.js web app and a Chrome extension for seamless usage.
Intro
Motivation
My journey from neuroscience to software engineering during the pandemic inspired me to create a tool that integrates the best research in learning sciences with practical applications in technology.
How Our Brains Work
Forgetting isn't a bug of humanity; it's actually a feature. Our brains have the structural advantage of being able to ignore and discern from an overwhelming stream of information, a process known as pruning. There's a powerful notion in the literature called desirable difficulty. When recalling information to fortify your memory, it's important for the process to be challenging.
The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve (refer to SuperMemo) illustrates how we forget information over time without reinforcement. This concept, along with the idea of desirable difficulty, underpins the methodology of EduQueue.
What Should We Try to Encode?
We should focus on encoding information that doesn't have cues in our direct environment, either because it's not directly within our main competencies or because it's outside our regular scope of activities.
Problems Addressed by EduQueue
What is the Problem?
The traditional flashcard method has several drawbacks:
- It takes time and often doesn't yield significant results.
- It requires skill to create effective flashcards.
- People don't have time to spend half an hour or more creating flashcards on topics outside their main competencies, leading to these topics being neglected.
What is the Solution? Recall Rounds
EduQueue automates the creation of Recall Rounds, making it easier and quicker for users to maintain and reinforce their knowledge across various domains.
Implementation
Chrome Extension
The chrome extension has a login functionality, which opens a new browser tab to log in the user (log in with JWT). Then the user can press convert, which converts the entire page to a set of Recall Rounds, which are available to the user in their "Knowledge Base". From the "Knowledge Base, the user can export their Recall Rounds to CSV or to be used in Anki.
Demo
A tech demo of EduQueue shows how the tool leverages advanced AI to generate high-quality flashcards, manage them effectively, and facilitate regular review sessions, ensuring that users can retain and recall information efficiently. Reach out to schedule an live demo of the project!
Conclusion
EduQueue is designed to bridge the gap between the ever-growing body of knowledge and our ability to retain and apply that knowledge effectively. By integrating research-based study techniques with cutting-edge AI technology, EduQueue provides a powerful tool for continuous learning and professional development. Whether you're a student, a professional, or a lifelong learner, EduQueue can help you stay ahead in your field and retain valuable information over the long term.
Stay tuned for more updates and detailed walkthroughs on how to get the most out of EduQueue!