Cognito User Guide

1. Getting Started

Signing Up

To begin, you'll need an account. At present, only approved organisation administrators can create user accounts. Once this has been done, you will receive an email with a password reset link (check your spam folder). You must reset your password before coming back to Cognito.

Important: All new accounts are created with a "pending" status and must be approved by an administrator before you can log in and use the app.

Signing In

Once your account has been approved, you can sign by using your email address and the password that you have set. Click on the blue 'Sign In' button.

Password Reset

If you forget your password, you can click the "Forgot password?" link in the sign-in window. You can also reset your password at any time from your main dashboard after logging in.

2. The Dashboard

After signing in, you will land on your personal dashboard. This is the central hub for all activities.

  • Start Learning: Takes you to your list of card packs to begin a study session.
  • View My Stats: Opens a detailed dashboard where you can analyze your learning progress.
  • Reset My Password: Sends a password reset link to your registered email address.

Depending on your role, you may see an additional "Management" section with more options.

3. Learning with Flashcards

The Study Loop
  1. Select a Pack: From the dashboard, click "Start Learning". You will see a list of all card packs available to you. Each pack shows you how many cards are currently due for review. Click on any pack to begin.
  2. View the Question: You will be shown the "front" of a card, which contains the question.
  3. Recall the Answer: Try to remember the answer. When you're ready, flip the card to reveal it. You can do this by clicking either the "Show Answer" button or anywhere on the card itself.
  4. Rate Your Recall: Once the answer is revealed, you must rate how well you knew it. This is the most important part of the learning process. Your rating determines when you will see the card next.
    • Correct: You knew the answer well. The time until the next review will increase significantly.
    • Hard: You recalled the answer, but it was difficult. You will see the card again soon.
    • Incorrect: You did not know the answer. The card's progress will be reset, and you will see it again tomorrow.

4. How Spaced Repetition Works (The SM-2 Algorithm)

Cognito uses a learning technique called Spaced Repetition to help you learn more efficiently. It's based on the principles of the famous **SM-2 algorithm**, created by Dr. Piotr Woźniak. The core ideas are:

  • The Forgetting Curve: Humans forget information at a predictable rate. The goal is to review a piece of information just before you are about to forget it. This strengthens the memory more effectively than cramming.
  • Increasing Intervals: Instead of reviewing every card every day, the time between reviews gets longer each time you successfully recall an answer. An easy card might be shown again in 2 weeks, then 2 months, then 6 months. A difficult card will appear more frequently.
  • Ease Factor: Every card has its own "Ease Factor". This number represents how easy or difficult the card is *for you*. When you answer "Correct", this factor increases slightly. When you answer "Incorrect" or "Hard", it decreases. This ease factor is used to calculate the next review interval, personalising the schedule for every single card.

By rating your answers honestly, you are feeding the algorithm the data it needs to create the optimal review schedule for your brain.

5. Managing Your Content

All users can create and manage their own private card packs.

  • Creating a Private Pack: On the "Select a Card Pack" screen, click the "Create New Pack" button. This allows you to create a pack that is only visible to you.
  • Managing Cards: A "Manage" button will appear next to any pack you have permission to edit. This takes you to the Card Management screen where you can add, edit, and delete individual cards.
  • Deleting a Pack: A "Delete" button will also appear on packs you can manage. This permanently deletes the pack and all cards inside it.
  • Resetting Progress: The "Reset Progress" button allows you to start over with a pack by clearing your personal learning history for it without deleting the cards themselves.

6. For Admins

Organisation Admins

If you are an Organisation Admin, you will see a "Manage My Organisation" button on your dashboard. This panel allows you to manage the users and content for your specific organisation.