Semmelweis University and Voovo

In a pioneering move, Semmelweis University’s Department of Prosthodontics is joining forces with the innovative EdTech startup Voovo to revolutionize the way students learn. The partnership aims to integrate scientifically proven learning techniques, Spaced Repetition and Active Recall into the department’s curriculum, setting a new standard for educational excellence.

Spaced Repetition and Active Recall are recognized as the most effective methods for long-term knowledge retention. Despite their proven efficacy, these techniques are rarely incorporated into traditional curricula, primarily due to institutions’ reliance on conventional exam-based grading and the lack of existing systems to support their introduction and ongoing use.

By leveraging Voovo’s advanced technology, the Department of Prosthodontics is implementing a system of daily repetition and effort-based grading into its study structure. This approach ensures that students not only memorize information by cramming for the exams but retain useful knowledge for years to come.

The first metrics are in from this collaboration between Semmelweis University and Voovo, and the outcomes have exceeded all expectations. Over 92% of all students using Voovo daily. This shows that they have successfully implemented the scientifically proven most effective learning methods - active recall & spaced repetition- into this department, ensuring that every student, not just the top performers, can benefit.

A revolutionary initiative bringing profound advancement in educational effectiveness

Imagine a world where studying for exams doesn’t mean cramming all night. Instead, students spend 10 minutes each day reviewing the material they find challenging. This is the vision of Voovo, an edTech startup helping over 10 thousand students learn more efficiently.

Historically, education has primarily focused on teaching and testing, with little attention given to the crucial process of repetition. Contemporary research reveals that spaced repetition throughout the academic term can be up to twice as effective in encoding information into long-term memory compared to last-minute cramming sessions. Students who strategically space out their study sessions not only retain information better but also score significantly higher on assessments given weeks after the initial learning phase.

This partnership represents a transformative advancement in educational effectiveness. By embracing these findings, Semmelweis University and Voovo join forces to transform the educational landscape, ensuring that students don’t just pass exams but deepen their knowledge and understanding of medical subjects.

A Duolingo-like gamified experience designed for higher education

The way Voovo’s method works is like having a personalized study buddy who knows exactly what to ask to activate your memory. The platform offers gamified features similar to Duolingo’s, but instead of learning a new language, it’s tailored to exam subjects, breaking down course content into manageable steps that unlock progressively throughout the semester. Students advance by completing these steps, making the study process more structured, less overwhelming, and more enjoyable.

At the Department of Prosthodontics, students have three days to meet their goals. These goals are divided into two parts: “new knowledge” and “review.” The new knowledge goal involves unlocking and learning new content as the semester progresses. The review goal, driven by Voovo’s adaptive algorithm, focuses on revisiting previously studied material based on each student’s unique memory retention patterns, triggering their memory at just the right time.

Effort, not perfection is key to motivation — Voovo scores will determine 50% of the students’ grades

With the support of Voovo, Semmelweis University is introducing an innovative evaluation system called effort-based grading, where each student is assessed based on achieving their own goals. Voovo’s algorithm considers factors like the speed and accuracy of their responses, whether they’ve forgotten previously correct answers and many other factors.

Each student’s goals focus on the most important material for them to practice, and achieving these goals results in a perfect ‘consistency score’. The ‘consistency score’ is based on how regularly students engage in repetition, with 100% consistency achieved by meeting assigned goals within a given 3-day period. The final score averages all consistency scores over the semester. Incorrect answers lead to more frequent reviews, potentially increasing the number of questions but not penalizing the consistency score. By mid-semester, a student with fewer mistakes might need to review 10 questions, while another with more mistakes needs to review 100. Both can still achieve 100% consistency by meeting their individual goals. This method ensures that students consistently reinforce their knowledge, making studying more efficient and tailored to their specific needs.

From struggles in medical school to helping over 10 thousand students

Benedek Hermán, Voovo’s founder, came up with the platform while he was a medical student himself at Semmelweis University. “As a student, I struggled with memorization and needed a better way to retain information long-term. That’s how Voovo was born — initially, to solve my own problem, we started coding the first MVP of Voovo and once we saw how much it helped us in studying more efficiently, we decided to make it available to the public. We quickly reached 10.000 users” — he shares.

Semmelweis University’s support of this innovative approach underscores their commitment to advancing educational methods. By integrating Voovo’s system of daily repetition and effort-based grading, Semmelweis University aims to enhance the educational experience and improve long-term retention of information.

Dr. Barbara Kispélyi, VP of the Prosthodontics Department at Semmelweis University, has been a long-time advocate for innovation in education. "We are always looking for ways to engage students more actively in their learning. Traditional methods don't always work, and Voovo’s approach is a refreshing change. It's not just about the material; it’s about making students active participants in their own education," Kispélyi explains.

How do the University and Voovo collaborate to create the semester’s material?

At Semmelweis University, Voovo took the lead in the creation of the initial content for the semester. This content was then meticulously reviewed and refined by the department to ensure it adhered to the highest standards of accuracy and excellence.

Content serves as the lifeblood of Voovo’s success. By leveraging AI models, Voovo converts a diverse array of materials — ranging from PowerPoints and textbooks to PDFs and practice questions — into dynamic and interactive course formats. The platform features an impressive spectrum of quiz types, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, detailed anatomy diagrams, and complex biochemical cycles.

Voovo is actively seeking to expand its partnership network with more universities

At the semester’s end, Voovo and Semmelweis University will join forces to analyze the outcomes and align on the next steps. This collaborative effort ensures continuous improvement and adaptation of the educational content to meet the highest standards.

Meanwhile, Voovo is on a mission to extend this innovative approach to other educational institutions. By partnering with more universities, Voovo aims to embed effective learning methods in schools and universities worldwide.

These collaborations offer mutual benefits: universities can enhance student retention, leading to improved rankings and increased revenue from tuition. Voovo’s advanced AI-driven content and dynamic course formats provide a strong foundation for academic success, making it a valuable partner for institutions striving for excellence.

Want to learn more about how to teach using the Spaced Repetition method and enable students to learn more effectively? Join the free webinar for actionable tips about improving memory and allowing students to perform better in assessments. The event is co-organized by Voovo and Semmelweis University and will take place on October 2nd at 18:00.

You can sign up here: https://lu.ma/zskus4x5

About Semmelweis University

Semmelweis University is a medical, science and dentistry school and one of the top public universities in Budapest, Hungary, founded in 1769. With six faculties and a doctoral school, it covers all aspects of medical and health sciences. The university is also the largest provider of healthcare services in Hungary.

About Voovo

Voovo is an innovative study app for schools and universities, helping students learn faster by empowering them to create flashcards in seconds. Whether it’s medicine, mathematics, or a foreign language, Voovo makes studying easier thanks to integrating scientifically proven methods like Spaced Repetition and Active Recall into its algorithm.**