Memexspan: History
   
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
       about us

 

Contact Person: Jan Kuyper Erland, M.S.
Content Developer - Intervention Analyst, Performance Consultant
Researcher, Writer and Speaker – Founded: 1981

Mission Statement:

To improve memory and analytical thinking skills for increased learning proficiency and higher literacy levels necessary for advanced systems and technologies, through pattern-detection and sequencing-skill training in schools, facilities, homes, and the workplace.

Program Area:
We improve Information-Processing, Learning Styles, and Intelligence by applying Brain-Based Learning through The Bridge To Achievement (The BTA) ® with "Span Power" ™ training to create the agile, focused mind.

For individuals age 9 to 99. Cognitive Skills Training for Grades 3-6, in classrooms, Vo-Tech and College Preparatory, College Learning Support Services, Adult Literacy enhancement, GED Learning, Home Schooling, and in Business and Industry Settings.

The BTA ® program has been self-supporting by nominal class tuitions. Client base includes public, private, and parochial schools, colleges, universities, businesses and corporations.

Focus of Organization:

To research, develop, and implement innovative, non-discriminatory learning methods and materials. To give workshops and seminars to inform the general public on educational practices and policies. To offer training in cognitive skills and memory through accelerated learning procedures to expedite educational excellence, workforce development, and workplace retraining needs.

History:

Development: 1980 - to present
Operated The Bridge To Achievement (The BTA) ® programs at twelve national test sites, three geographical locations with multiple replications, with over 2500+ individuals

4 years in Vero Beach, Florida (South East Region) 1984 - 1987
6 years in the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities (North Central Region) 1983 - 1987
18 years in Kansas-Missouri (Central Region, several cities) 1981 - 1999

Dates evaluated: 1983 - to present
Dates field tested: 1983 - 1999
Two Kansas - Missouri public school districts, Iowa parochial schools, a private school, private colleges, business & industry. Field Test reports appear under Published Scientific Documentation.

Creating The Agile Mind Through High Performance Thinking ®

What Is The BTA?

The BTA ® res is aearch-based accelerated learning technology. It is designed to create faster and more accurate personal information processing, enhanced learning styles, critical thinking, and memory through unique "Span Power" ™ training. The BTA ® consists of a cognitive skills training methodology for the students, workforce, business, and consumers. It is intended to support national "No Child Left Behind" by increasing scores in reading, math, and science. The BTA ® has documented over two years' academic achievement gain beyond the 1 to 1 1/2 years' growth the teachers routinely received (creating a +3 - +4 year's gain) obtained in just 48-days of training, 30 to 40-minutes daily, Mon-Fri. (See JALT article Fall 1998). Gains maintained two year's longitudinally for classrooms that followed The BTA ® Executive Criteria. (See JALT Spring, 1999 and Fall 2000).

In the same study, two low achieving 4th grade classrooms that fell below the National Norms annual growth expectations in many academic subjects during 4th & 5th grades, were functioning at one- to- two + years above grade level when entering 7th grade, two years subsequent to BTA treatment. (See JALT article Fall 2000). Longitudinal 6th grade Nat'l Norm School percentile scores (1-year post BTA): Composite - 84%, Reading Comprehension - 86%, Reading Total - 84%, Math Problem Solving - 79%, Math Total - 77%, Language Total - 86%, and Science - 89%. (See JALT article Fall 1999).

A typical 6th grade classroom (n=25), two years following the BTA initial treatment in 8th grade, evidenced Iowa Test of Basic Skills Standard Score Point Difference (DSS) points of over twice the DSS points of a classroom (n=26) of high performing Gifted students' 8th grade ITBS Composite score (44 pts. vs. 21 pts. over the Nat'l Norm 8th grade expectations). This average 6th grade class also scored +20 DSS points higher than the Gifted class for Reading Total and +24 DSS points higher for Math Total longitudinally. (See JALT article Fall 1999, Table 17, Monograph Report)

Two-Year 8th grade Longitudinal National School Norm percentiles for this 6th grade BTA treatment class were: Composite - 98%, Reading Comprehension - 96%, Reading Total 95%, Math Problem Solving - 99%, Math Total - 99%, Language Total - 89%, Science - 99%.

An earlier published research report (Erland, Spring 1989 JALT) of 140 individuals compared six age groups within ages 10-15 and 16-to-adult, and high ability versus low ability, and found that all age groups and learning levels had statistically significant robust cognitive skills gain from The BTA ® training. A subsequent 1 to 3 year published longitudinal study showed that the results maintained and accrued with time. (Erland, Summer, 1989, JALT).

Consequently, most adults can make cognitive skill gains in most mental areas, including visual speed and listening ability, as do young people. Because The BTA ® creates high speed mental scanning and faster encoding-decoding capability, adults having The BTA ® training had the competitive edge to receive promotions, cut back time investments required for advanced degrees and training, and were more easily able to enter professional, trade, or technical careers, saving time and money. Older adults maintained a sharp mental edge for greater energy, vitality, and increased career opportunities.

What is HPT? ®

High Performance Thinking (HPT)® is to improve memory and information processing beyond the innate capabilities of the individual. HPT® is the exclusive outcome of
The BTA ® training taught with media driven "Span Power" ™ chunking exercises interlaced with mental interference training.

Need For The BTA ®

Good visual and listening sequencing memory ability are underpinnings for learning technical skills and are a requirement for high intellect, fast learning, and critical thought. Sequencing improvement is taught through chunking or "span" exercises. Existing accelerated learning and intelligence methodologies have limited statistical gains with supportive longitudinal achievement data.

Many of us are not functioning at our highest capacity, and may be below average in visual and auditory memory patterning and sequencing needed for technological skills which include reading, math, & science.

Research in education and psychology suggest that those who struggle to read, learn mathematics, or understand written or verbal instructions, lack the underlying mental skills or fundamentals needed for those tasks.

Adults want to stay mentally sharp longer to remain vital participants in a competitive workforce. Also, following illness, head injury, birthing complications, surgery, medical treatment, medication, or early onset Alzheimers Disease, many seek rapid, viable mental retraining exercise.

BTA ® Characteristics

The BTA ® is a research-based innovation designed to expand the ability to see, hear, understand, organize, and remember complex technical information. The 24-hour, inclusive methodology is results-based on four varying time formats, and has the following characteristics:

Fast 24 hours of mental toughness training taught in groups of 2 to 33, ages 9-99, for schools (both regular and special learning classes) for grades 3-6, (48-days, 30-40 min. Mon-Fri) and can also be applied in business settings (10-day, 1 hr. 40 min. Mon-Fri), technical schools, and colleges.

Sharpen participants' focus and learning.
Increase the capacity to learn new technical skills rapidly.

BTA ® Uniqueness

The BTA ® is the most comprehensive accelerated learning program available, combining interdisciplinary techniques in psychology, education, music, arts, & cognitive science for rapid results in achievement.

The BTA ® is based upon a fusion of prominent intelligence and learning theories, including Guilford's Structure of Intellect, Intelligence Theories, and Lozanov's Accelerated Learning Theory.

The BTA ® utilizes a unique verbal rehearsal paradigm of a "Span Power" ™ chunking system to improve information processing abilities by applying communication tools from arts, music, and the theater.

Uniquely, The BTA ® is statistically documented to obtain fast and measurable gains in reading, math, spelling, language, science, social science, listening, and sequencing in just eight to ten weeks (30-40 minutes daily, or a total of 24-hrs. training time). In Business settings, memory and communication skills are enhanced to greater heights in a Two-Week, 1-hr. and 40 minutes daily format (early morning or at noon) There is statistical documentation for professional learners.

Existing memory concepts consist of cumbersome association and link memorization, Specialized skill enhancement, or drills with a clinical specialist. Other programs require more extensive training to obtain one years' academic growth, and lack longitudinal maintenance gains documentation.

The outcome, HPT,® is unrivaled by existing programs because there are few short-term memory and information processing improvement systems leading to improved academic achievement in all subject areas, critical thought, communication proficiency, and creativity. (See Published Articles - JALT (linked to Rutgers University's web site) - Fall 1998, Spring 1999, Fall 1999, and Fall 2000).

Contact Us:

Jan Kuyper Erland, M. S. Intervention Consultant, Researcher, Writer, and Speaker
Mem-ExSpan, Inc.
The Bridge To Achievement ®
2126 Connecticut Ave. NW
Suite # 57
Washington, DC 20008
www.memspan.com
Tel: 785-749-5402
email: jan@memspan.com