Introducing the New and Improved Mai

When we show Tassomai to teachers for the first time they sometimes question how Tassomai teaches. 

They are always reassured when we explain that the way we write our questions, structure our courses and design our algorithm means that students are always learning, even when making mistakes with unfamiliar content. In particular, our algorithm builds knowledge progressively, reinforcing any areas of weakness and we are confident that students can learn new material by doing Tassomai alone. 

Even with all that in mind, we are always looking to increase ways of helping students learn and we are pleased to say that Mai Helps has improved in that respect.

We analysed the data and conversations students had with Mai, and concluded that if we started every Mai Helps interaction with a well-constructed, targeted hint, students are more likely to derive greater educational benefit from the tool and receive more efficient support.

We’ve been very careful to design the hints so that they give students the knowledge required without totally giving away the answer. We also have some changes in the pipeline so students will be able to earn Mai credits through quizzing well, meaning students will be able to get even greater benefit from this system.