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Memrise is an online application which allows users learn different languages without any costs. The application stands by three items that enable effortless learning which include science, fun and community. By combining these three aspects in the learning tools on the website, users are presented with creative learning modules that are designed with a focus on brain science and how the brain learns. There is also an emphasis on the use of 'mems' which affect the way the brain remembers. Memrise will also provide users with tests to determine how much knowledge has been acquired and continues to give the brain a workout to ensure that knowledge is increased. Apart from the use of scientific principles, Memrise also focuses on a fun approach to learning. Hence, besides picking up new information about various topics, Memrise include challenges that the Memrise community or 'mempals' can engage in a friendly, competitive way. This adds a dimension to the learning process including curiosity and eagerness to learn more. So, the application can provide a sense of playfulness while learning. There is also the power of community within the Memrise learning environment, which adds a third dimension to further help users learn.

Founded in 2008 by memory experts Greg Detre and Ed Cooke, Memrise is a privately held company that is focused on eLearning and knowledge acquisition. Greg Detre is a PhD neuroscientist from Princeton and Ed Cooke holds the tiltle of being a Grandmaster of Memory. The inspiration for craeting Memrise came from the scientific aspects of memory and how the brain learns. The ancient arts of memory made it possible for users to learn and remember what has been learnt. By incorporating fun aspects, people are able to think quickly and learn even faster than they normally would.

Memrise provides a fun approach to learning. Apart from the use of the Internet and an easy mechanism for creating curiousity about how learning on the platform will occur, Memrise views learning as a type of game and in many ways this contributes to the success that users find while useing the application. With Memrise, users grow a garden of memory. The scientific approach to the learning lessons involve the increase of brain power and memeory. Flashcards and mneumonics help to create learning strategies and reinfornce learning. Users are encouraged to nuture the knowledge they acquire and use this knowledge in their everyday lives.

It is easy to navigate Memrise, look for a language to learn and then begin going through the applicable screens. New users can create an account and save their progress on the learning platform. There are also counters available for words that have been seen and points that have been scored. Memrise uses the analogy of the transition from seeds, greenhouses and gardens and uses this approach to formulate its lesson plans and progress for its users. New words are planted as seeds, the greenhouse represents short-term memory that develops and the garden emerges as long-term memory. The community environment could be improved by providing some grouping or direction. However, the forums within the community can provide useful information.

New users can begin using Memrise without registering. However, after some time, the application will prompt unregistered users to create an account. The objective for creating an account on the system is to ensure that learning progress is recorded and tracked. User accounts are free and users simply need to provide a usersname, email address and password to become registered on the system. Registered users can also create a course and connect with their Facebook accounts.

There is no cost to use the Memrise application. It is clearly advertised as a free online learning platform for languages and users can begin using the learning modules without an account. As usage continues, there will be prompts to register to use the application. However, there are no registration fees or pricing structures. The entire application is free for all users.

The Memrise application will be recommended to people want to learn a new language and who want a simple but fun way of achieving this goal. Being able to learn more than one language within the same environment is also appealing. The use of flashcards and mneumonics can provide advantages, especially based on scientific principles that have been researched and strategically inocrporated into the learning platform. Those that are able to relate to the mind being like a gargen that can be cultivated will particularly be inclined to use the Memrise system which is based on learning by planting seeds of new words, watering the seeds and seeing the long-term memory gradually surface based on the seeds that were planted.

• Users can learn different languages for free
• Memrise combines scientific principles, fun and community in all its learning modules
• There are many different languages that can be learnt
• The online learning tool uses flashcards and mnemonics
• Memrise has an email reminder system based on planting, watering, harvesting and wilting

Memrise video

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