iKnow / smart.fm started over 2 years ago as a free way to increase your vocabulary. They started out very strong but over time got messier, harder to use, and now they've decided to start charging people for the privilege of using their now broken interface.
I liked the way it quizzes you on learning words, but I can just use anki for similar benefit, just a little less "fun". There was a TONNE of user submitted material as well that will only be accessible through the new paid app.
They tried to combine a study platform with social networking, I liked seeing friends progress, commenting etc. but now that aspect of it is gone.
I'm not going to be subscribing. It might be worth the money for some people, but I'll save my dollars, use anki, and perhaps buy a new book.
Sources
http://www.tofugu.com/2011/01/26/smartfm-closing-down/
http://blog.smart.fm/en/2011/01/27/closing-the-smart-fm-service/
http://blog.smart.fm/en/2011/01/27/closing-the-smart-fm-service/
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
RTK done
Well about a week ago I entered kanji #2042 into my SRS. 2 days ago I exported my progress from kanji.koohii.com to anki.
It feels good to be done the book, but it will take some time for my reviews to die down enough to be comfortable :)
I am doing a super quick runthrough of all the grammar and vocab from lessons 1-8 of JFE, and then will start Lesson 9. I am also entering steps 1 and 2 from smart.fm's Core 2000 Japanese lists. I am around 150 sentences in so far.
Progress is great, now back onto learning real Japanese ^_^
It feels good to be done the book, but it will take some time for my reviews to die down enough to be comfortable :)
I am doing a super quick runthrough of all the grammar and vocab from lessons 1-8 of JFE, and then will start Lesson 9. I am also entering steps 1 and 2 from smart.fm's Core 2000 Japanese lists. I am around 150 sentences in so far.
Progress is great, now back onto learning real Japanese ^_^
Monday, December 27, 2010
2/3 through RTK
So I'm sitting here thinking to myself "Wow, I'm 2/3 through RTK. This is SOO much painless than the first time I ran through the book"
It turns out 2 years of non-use and I still need very little review to get me right back to where I was before. This simply shows how strong the method is. A good friend of mine is now starting RTK after seeing my success with it, but is likely doing the RTK lite option first. This simply goes through about the 1000 most useful kanji in the book first, and the primitive elements that make them up. This ensures the most gain in the shortest time. He will most likely finish the book at a later date after that.
I have entered 100 facts into Anki, for 200 cards, and am having fun memorizing the new words and compounds I am being exposed to. I have 300 more facts to go to be caught up with smart.fm. Once this occurs, and I am done RTK my decks will slow substantially and I can spend much more time on JFE :D ( which btw is now into lesson 9 )
It turns out 2 years of non-use and I still need very little review to get me right back to where I was before. This simply shows how strong the method is. A good friend of mine is now starting RTK after seeing my success with it, but is likely doing the RTK lite option first. This simply goes through about the 1000 most useful kanji in the book first, and the primitive elements that make them up. This ensures the most gain in the shortest time. He will most likely finish the book at a later date after that.
I have entered 100 facts into Anki, for 200 cards, and am having fun memorizing the new words and compounds I am being exposed to. I have 300 more facts to go to be caught up with smart.fm. Once this occurs, and I am done RTK my decks will slow substantially and I can spend much more time on JFE :D ( which btw is now into lesson 9 )
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Progress
Almost halfway through this run of RTK, but I'm not just doing that. This time I am getting extremely high retention rates, it simply shows how WELL the system works. Even after all this time I can easily fly through 100 new kanji in a day no problem. I am going to pick the pace up a bit ( I was doing the smaller lessons in a day, but recently had the 130 and 96 kanji monsters recently ) and decided I'd love to be done with the book by new years clearing myself up to just do reviews.
I have "Mastered" Japanese Core 2000 steps 1 and 2 on smart.fm. This apparently covers all of their beginner level material. I started step 3 and BOY is it a huge leap, no wonder they call it intermediate. I've seen comments that step 4 is easier, perhaps I will do that one alongside it. Now I can enter this all into anki and slowly work through the newer, harder stuff.
Anki, I've obtained the core2000 deck with audio and pictures. It tests both production and dictation. This is good because I get to try reading the sentences, if correct, pass. For dictation, I can visualize what the kanji should look like, and usually write them out unless it seems pretty easy. Of course I need to understand the sentence in both cases as well. On all the tougher cards and ALL fails, the full sentence gets written out.
It will take me a while to get all the core2000 sentences I've completed into anki, but I'm learning more as I go. Core2k concentrated on one word, where I test myself on the entire sentence.
I am already seeing improvements in my reading, and once I have completed RTK I can concentrate more on sentences and JFE. I am currently on lesson 8 in JFE, and have gotten back there quickly. I've slowed down now to clear out all this other material I am working through. When I run out, there's always KO2001 :D
Til next time......
I have "Mastered" Japanese Core 2000 steps 1 and 2 on smart.fm. This apparently covers all of their beginner level material. I started step 3 and BOY is it a huge leap, no wonder they call it intermediate. I've seen comments that step 4 is easier, perhaps I will do that one alongside it. Now I can enter this all into anki and slowly work through the newer, harder stuff.
Anki, I've obtained the core2000 deck with audio and pictures. It tests both production and dictation. This is good because I get to try reading the sentences, if correct, pass. For dictation, I can visualize what the kanji should look like, and usually write them out unless it seems pretty easy. Of course I need to understand the sentence in both cases as well. On all the tougher cards and ALL fails, the full sentence gets written out.
It will take me a while to get all the core2000 sentences I've completed into anki, but I'm learning more as I go. Core2k concentrated on one word, where I test myself on the entire sentence.
I am already seeing improvements in my reading, and once I have completed RTK I can concentrate more on sentences and JFE. I am currently on lesson 8 in JFE, and have gotten back there quickly. I've slowed down now to clear out all this other material I am working through. When I run out, there's always KO2001 :D
Til next time......
Friday, November 26, 2010
Wow it's been a while
Well stuff happened life got in the way, and I got in a horrible mangled mess because some guy in a car hit me on my bike.
Hip surgery and some time off later and here I am at home studying again.
I am about caught up to where I'd abandoned my studies over a year ago and moving at a decent pace! At least 6 more weeks off, so I will take full advantage of them and try to MAKE SURE I keep reviewing this time to keep it all fresh :D
Wish me luck!
Hip surgery and some time off later and here I am at home studying again.
I am about caught up to where I'd abandoned my studies over a year ago and moving at a decent pace! At least 6 more weeks off, so I will take full advantage of them and try to MAKE SURE I keep reviewing this time to keep it all fresh :D
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Back on Pace
I started going through RTK again about 2 1/2 weeks ago, and so far it's been great.
I had barely gotten through the book the first time when my study time was ripped away from me, but how quickly I am progressing the second time around just shows how powerful the method really can be, when properly utilized with an SRS ( Spaced Repetition System )
I have learnt to multitask quite well lately, right now I am writing this entry, Doing RTK reviews, cooking dinner, watching my twin daughter, AND moderating a chat forum ^^
Multitasking effectively, is key if you don't have enough time to dedicate to the cause ( Which we all know, is Japanese Fluency )
On another note my most recent order came in, and quite quickly I must say. I added "A Dictionary Of Basic Japanese Grammar" as well as the intermediate and advanced companions. I also recieved "Breaking into Japanese Literature" as well as "Exploring Japanese Literature"
Once I am done this runthrough of RTK I will have to experiment to see how I will continue on. I figure some combination of JFE, KAnji flashcards, a source of sentences putting Kanji into context and straight grammar input. Oh yeah, don't forget the SRS, love that thing!
I will let you know how things go
Until next time ^^
I had barely gotten through the book the first time when my study time was ripped away from me, but how quickly I am progressing the second time around just shows how powerful the method really can be, when properly utilized with an SRS ( Spaced Repetition System )
I have learnt to multitask quite well lately, right now I am writing this entry, Doing RTK reviews, cooking dinner, watching my twin daughter, AND moderating a chat forum ^^
Multitasking effectively, is key if you don't have enough time to dedicate to the cause ( Which we all know, is Japanese Fluency )
On another note my most recent order came in, and quite quickly I must say. I added "A Dictionary Of Basic Japanese Grammar" as well as the intermediate and advanced companions. I also recieved "Breaking into Japanese Literature" as well as "Exploring Japanese Literature"
Once I am done this runthrough of RTK I will have to experiment to see how I will continue on. I figure some combination of JFE, KAnji flashcards, a source of sentences putting Kanji into context and straight grammar input. Oh yeah, don't forget the SRS, love that thing!
I will let you know how things go
Until next time ^^
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Sugoi desu ne
Well I am finally finished with my internet/computer/time troubles.
It took a few months but I am back in the habit and here to stay.
Studying a language for fun while working full time and having young kids is somewhat crazy but hey, I love it :D
I am on my second round of RTK ( Remembering the Kanji ) and I am going to hit frame 500, around 1/4 through the book in about 6 days total, not bad for the second time around, I will be reading authentic material in NO TIME!
I will also update my books used soon, I ordered some dictionaries of japanese grammar by the Japan Times. GOOD STUFF
がんばります＾＾
It took a few months but I am back in the habit and here to stay.
Studying a language for fun while working full time and having young kids is somewhat crazy but hey, I love it :D
I am on my second round of RTK ( Remembering the Kanji ) and I am going to hit frame 500, around 1/4 through the book in about 6 days total, not bad for the second time around, I will be reading authentic material in NO TIME!
I will also update my books used soon, I ordered some dictionaries of japanese grammar by the Japan Times. GOOD STUFF
がんばります＾＾
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