Frequently Asked Questions2023-09-11T21:58:29+00:00

Frequently asked questions about the Amplifire learning platform

How Is Amplifire Adaptive?2018-06-27T21:10:12+00:00

Amplifire assesses each individual’s knowledge and confidence levels and then customizes the learning module in real time to fill gaps and uncertainty based on the learner’s prior knowledge. Active algorithms determine whether a learner should see an item again, when they should see it, and how often, based on their learning performance.

How can I use Amplifire to understand what’s going on with my learners/workforce?2018-06-27T21:12:03+00:00

Amplifire’s algorithms collect data on learner behavior which can then be viewed in real-time through the Reporting Suite. The reports highlight knowledge, uncertainty, and misinformation at the systemic, local, and individual level. Our AI-based communication manager notifies managers and provides guidance where needed so they know exactly where and how to focus their attention to eliminate risk and acknowledge areas of success.

What personal information is stored/collected?2018-06-27T21:27:52+00:00

Amplifire is configurable, so you can choose which types of personal information you would like to collect and store. One of our Client Solution Directors works with you to determine which learner attributes you would like to capture. At minimum we require a name and a unique ID such as an email address or LMS ID. We can capture an unlimited number of user attributes, and each attribute will show up in Amplifire Reports. Some common learner attributes include:

  • Tenure
  • Supervisor
  • Division
  • Location
  • Job title
  • Hire date
  • Accreditation
  • Personnel number
How can we take action with our workforce from Amplifire data?2018-06-27T21:28:30+00:00

Any organizational attribute collected can be tracked and reported on. During course creation, our Client Solutions Directors will help you consider which learner behaviors you want to change (or enforce!) so you know which attributes to collect. Amplifire will capture all learner responses and pinpoint where confidently held misinformation (CHM) exists at the systemic, local, and individual level. Amplifire Reports will also reflect where learners struggled to master the content so you can intervene to reduce risks caused by CHM or to improve student retention.

How can you teach new content through questions?2018-06-27T21:29:08+00:00

Asking questions primes the brain by turning on the mental mechanisms that create long-term memory and the ability to recall information in the future. Cognitive research conducted by Dr. Jeri L. Little, Dr. Robert Bjork, and Dr. Elizabeth Bjork at UCLA has proven that that multiple choice question questions best promote learning because they combine recognition with memory recall by asking the learner to contemplate each answer choice and categorize each one as either right or wrong.

Is Amplifire a test or assessment?2018-06-27T22:39:46+00:00

No. Amplifire does use questions to highlight a learner’s prior knowledge, uncertainty, and misinformation, resulting in a unique learning experience. However, these aren’t test questions. Unlike a test, Amp presents the correct answer and an explanation when a learner answers questions incorrectly or without full confidence. Also, unlike a test, a learner is not allowed to complete a module until the content is mastered (all questions are answered correctly and with full confidence). However, Amp can and is often used as a pre-test, allowing learners to understand where they need to focus their study efforts.

Can Amplifire be used for learning new material?2018-06-27T21:32:22+00:00

Absolutely! Amplifire is designed for learning. The platform’s algorithms tailor training content to display detailed explanations that inform learners on topics they did not know or were uncertain about. New questions are interleaved with previous questions to boost confidence and prevent negative, discouraging learning experiences. If a learner struggles to master the content, other resources are presented to help learners better comprehend the material.

Can’t people “guess their way through” the questions?2019-04-22T17:01:10+00:00

Amplifire teaches on concepts, not questions.  Therefore, mastering a concept is what allows a learner to complete a module rather than just completing the same question again.  It’s true that a learner may see the same question again interspersed throughout a module along with other questions on the same concept.  This action, known as spacing, forces learners to engage in the effort of “retrieving” forgotten information. Learners may try to game the system by guessing “confidently” on every question. However, questions on concepts that learners answered confidently but incorrectly pops up again and again until it is mastered.

Along with multiple questions on a concept, system also programmatically changes other elements of the questions itself when it is encountered again by a learner to prevent memorization.

Can Amplifire be integrated with our LMS?2018-06-27T21:34:15+00:00

Yes. It is easy to integrate Amplifire’s learning platform with any LMS using xAPI (Tin Can), SCORM, LTI, or AICC. We also have APIs available for custom integration configurations. Our dedicated Integration team will work with your IT department to streamline the integration process.

Which devices can be used to access Amplifire?2018-06-27T21:35:02+00:00

Amplifire can be accessed using any smart device. We also support a wide variety of media including images, videos, audio, documents, and other interactive content types. These can be embedded or linked to from another source.

Is Amplifire available offline?2018-06-28T21:12:17+00:00

No. For Amplifire’s algorithms to work, Amplifire needs to continually communicate with the central algorithm engine to determine how the learning experience should adapt to a learner’s performance and behavior on the system.  The logic and data needed to make these adjustments are too much to download to a device for offline learning.  This communication can only be completed when there is internet access.  Furthermore, to provide accurate real-time reporting we need to capture interactions as they occur.

What is an Amplifire module?2018-06-27T21:36:28+00:00

A module contains 20–30 questions about a single topic or related topics. An Amplifire course is then made up of one or more modules. The amount of content is dependent on your learning goals, if you need comprehensive or targeted training, and how much time your learners actually have to go through training.

Where do you get the content for an Amplifire course?2018-06-27T21:37:08+00:00

We convert your existing training content or our Learning and Development experts will help you create brand new content based an expressed set of learning objectives. We also have the option of converting and creating new content yourself using our Authoring tool. In some cases, our team is solely responsible for developing the content and works closely with a subject matter expert (SME) to ensure accuracy and applicability. If you chose this route, you own the content and it is finalized and approved by you.

Who converts/develops Amp content?2018-06-28T17:22:35+00:00

Content can easily be converted or developed through our Authoring Platform. Your SMEs and curriculum developers can have full control of this or we can work in tandem with your team. All content is finalized and approved by you prior to launching the course.

How do you decide which content should be included in an Amplifire course?2018-06-27T21:38:22+00:00

When deciding which content to include in your Amplifire course, focus on topics with known misinformation and high-value content areas. (What do your learners really need to know, and what is fluff?) Think about which behaviors you want to change in your learning population and which behaviors you want to encourage. Consider whether you want your training to be comprehensive or targeted. Remember, designing content in Amplifire is iterative. Once you have rolled out version one, you can use Amplifire Reports to identify problems with your content that can be addressed in your next version.

Where is our learning content stored?2020-03-05T22:04:55+00:00

All content is hosted on and accessed from Amplifire’s private servers. Our servers, in 2 different locations are highly available (99.99% up time), and we adhere to industry standards for data encryption protection.

The Science Behind the Learning

The Science Behind the Learning

Our goal is to provide you with a focused, efficient path to mastering and retaining the information you need to be successful. The adaptive system you are using was developed based on scientific studies of how people can learn most efficiently. Key principles from these studies inform how the system works with you and adapts to your needs.

Why do I have to answer questions before I’ve learned anything?

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Priming

Athletes warm up immediately before a game by doing drills and exercises that mimic the actions they’ll take in competition. Your brain works the same way! By first answering questions, you prime your brain to acquire new knowledge, creating a mental framework for the material to be learned.

Research shows that priming by answering multiple-choice questions before study dramatically prepares the mind for learning and retention.

Should I answer partially sure or that I don’t know?

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Metacognition

We ask you to assess your confidence in your answer choices because studies have shown that thinking about your learning—also known as metacognition—is important for retention. Confronting what you know versus what you think you know activates the parts of your brain responsible for memory formation. fMRI scans of the brain confirm that when these areas are activated concurrently, learners store more information in long-term memory and experience greater engagement.

Can’t you just tell me what I need to know?

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Retrieval Practice

We could—but you can learn more efficiently and effectively by answering questions. Multiple studies have shown that retrieval practice—the practice of recalling information—activates a huge array of mental processes. When you answer a question, you’re engaging in retrieval practice and strengthening your memory encoding. Research has shown that regular self-testing is the most effective study technique for retention of material.

Why do I see some questions more than once?

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Desirable Difficulty

Remember, this is not a test—this is a learning system. Studies in gaming have shown that uncertainty, struggle, and eventual success drive user engagement. These same studies apply in learning. As you work, the system assesses your knowledge and adjusts the material you engage with. The result? You re-engage with material that was difficult for you. Overall, you optimize your learning by maintaining an ideal balance of challenge and progress.

Why can’t I see the correct answer and explanation right away?

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Engineered Spacing

While you’ll receive immediate feedback on whether you were correct or incorrect, you’ll only see the full explanation and correct answer after an interval of time. We’re not doing this to be mean or to drive you crazy! This proven learning technique is called engineered spacing. Studies have shown that spacing not only drives engagement, but also drives more effective retrieval practice. By exposing you to some content via a question, then deliberately waiting to provide further context, we’re asking you to stow and retrieve information. This practice strengthens your neural connections, helping you efficiently recall and learn information.

Why should I refresh?

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Forgetting Curves

Refresh is important because at some point you’re going to forget what you learned. In fact, scientists have built models called forgetting curves, which predict how and when you’ll forget learned information. However, forgetting curves differ from person to person due to a variety of inputs, such as strength of prior knowledge and time spent learning. Our system adapts to you and your unique knowledge levels. Based on your interactions in the program, the system can form an idea of when you are going to forget, and encourages you to refresh at the best time—just as your memory is starting to fade.

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