by
Michelle Peterson
| Jun 09, 2014
Sean Byrne
CompTIA’s comprehensive new neuroscience-based, adaptive learning tool has already garnered fans in the IT community — and for good reason. CertMaster, a revolutionary online learning solution, combines brain science and technology to help students master information quickly, remember content for the long-term, recall information when necessary and perform with confidence.
Standing on the shoulders of giants, CertMaster taps into research from neurobiology, cognitive psychology and game studies — a combination that left warehouse and office manager Sean Byrne, 43, very impressed.
“My experience has been excellent,” he said from Kildare, an Irish commuter town near Dublin. “In fact, once I start the tutorials, I find it hard to stop. So for me it is an excellent approach.”
Unveiled in May and launching globally in June, CertMaster covers certification exam material for CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+ and Strata IT Fundamentals. It’s currently available in English.
“CertMaster helps you focus on the weaker aspects of your knowledge and makes sure you read each question properly,” said Byrne, who used CertMaster to prepare for his CompTIA A+ certification exam. “[It’s] not just assuming you know the answer by skimming the question.”
Priming, Spacing and Adaptive Learning
Rooted in the principles of neurobiology and cognitive psychology, CertMaster starts with priming, which sets up the framework and foundation for the material. Priming helps students create a mental picture of what will be covered and later helps with memory accessibility and recall. Those mental parameters are especially helpful when you’re taking on a whole host of new information.
CertMaster also uses spacing, which introduces information over optimal intervals of time. Spacing gives your brain time to encode, associate, forget, relearn and store the information. Lessons feature just a handful of questions and offer high-level feedback plus answers and explanations later on. “Repeated questions in different forms regarding a particular aspect of the CompTIA A+ helps in maximum retention and understanding of the subject,” Byrne said.
By design, CertMaster begins with broad strokes and then tailors itself based on correct and incorrect answers. That’s called adaptive learning, using computers not only as tools but as interactive teaching devices. This common denominator approach can make CertMaster feel generic at first, Byrne said, “but the program still tailors itself to the knowledge requirements of the individual student.”
A student studying for CompTIA’s A+ certification — like Byrne, for example — might be well-versed in the fundamentals of computer technology, but need a little help learning how to install and configure PC operating systems. Here, the program’s data analytics kick in to customize the experience. Incorrect answers feature an explanation, and students will see more questions on the topic they’re struggling with later in the lesson.
CertMaster also offers a unique “I’m Uncertain” button for questions a student might know, but isn’t confident in. “This approach helps with concentrating on the weaker aspects of a student’s knowledge base while refreshing and consolidating the existing knowledge,” Byrne said.
CertMaster’s analytics also flag users who have reached the day’s maximum learning capacity. Yes, CertMaster even tells you when it’s time to take a break.
Game Theory
Taking cues from the video game industry, CertMaster taps into feelings of progression, risk, achievement and curiosity. When you’re engaged and getting positive feedback, dopamine starts flowing, creating a positive feedback loop. CertMaster’s immediate, high-level feedback encourages you to learn from your mistakes and, ideally, keep playing.
Early adopters have praised CertMaster’s seamless multiplatform approach — you can easily switch from a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. CertMaster apps are available for iOS and Android in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Users also like the brief but informational lessons and the explanations that come with incorrect answers. Byrne applauded the way the questions are varied in both the order they come and the way they are phrased. “It makes you learn and remember not just the one answer but all results and explanations,” he said.
For others thinking about trying it out, Byrne called CompTIA’s latest innovation compelling and beneficial. Combined with the other aspects of his studies, CertMaster has Byrne feeling fully prepped to sit for his certification exam.
“CertMaster is an excellent study and revision tool as it prepares the questions and explanations for you while concentrating on your weaker areas of knowledge,” he said.
CertMaster can be utilized by individuals, training organizations, schools, IT departments and government agencies. Explore CertMaster on your own by visiting www.certmaster.com.
Michelle Peterson is a communications specialist for CompTIA.