Contact Information

For sales or general information: info@simplysmarter.org

For technical help: techsupport@simplysmarter.org

By telephone: (801) 689-1505

 

User Manual

Version 2.0 - Download (PDF 1.1MB)

 

Technical Specifications

Minimum Requirements:

Windows/PC
Windows 2000 or XP
800 MHz or faster processor
256 MB RAM

Mac
OSX 10.2 or greater
1GHz or faster processor
256 MB RAM

800 x 600 resolution monitor also required

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a digit span?

A digit span is a measurement of how many numbers you can hear in a series and recall, or see in a series and recall. This is typically tested both forward and reverse. Most IQ tests assess digit spans. The most common method used to test sequential processing is the digit span. Simply Smarter assesses your digit spans with Baseline Tests as a way of determining how well you are doing. Then Simply Smarter activities use digit span recall exercises as a way of improving your sequential processing.

What’s 7 +/- 2?

It is generally accepted that, without intervention, sequential processing develops at the rate of one digit (or one piece of information) per year for the first seven to nine years of life, and then remains relatively stable. The initial research on sequential processing indicated that a majority of adults had auditory/visual forward digit spans ranging from 5 to 9 digits. This “normal” range for adult digit spans became known as 7 +/- 2 (seven plus or minus two). The preliminary research data currently being collected through the Simply Smarter Project 9 +/- 2, however, indicates that the extremely important function of auditory sequential processing has actually dropped to 6 +/- 2 over the last fifty years.

What is NACD’s Simply Smarter Project 9+/- 2?

The Simply Smarter Project 9 +/- 2 is an international program initiated by the National Academy for Child Development (a non-profit organization) to help raise the “normal” processing level of adults around the world to 9 +/- 2 digits.

Does my digit span indicate how smart I am?

No! Your digit spans measure your ability to take in pieces of information and to hold and manipulate them. NACD’s clinical experience suggests that sequential processing is a vital key to how well you can access your innate genetic intelligence. Many highly intelligent people have low digit spans. Our experience indicates, however, that if your digit spans are low, your access to your innate genetic intelligence is not as good as it could be. Also, the higher your digit spans are, the better able you are to utilize your intelligence.

Is the goal to learn how to memorize long series of numbers?

No. Learning strategies that help you remember longer and longer sequences of numbers are not going to improve your sequential processing. The goal is not to learn how to remember chains of numbers, it is rather to help you develop the neurological ability to take in and manipulate more and more distinct pieces of information.

How much improvement is good improvement?

In working with many thousands of individuals on the development of sequential processing skills, we have learned that even an improvement of half a digit translates into noticeable change in one’s everyday ability to learn, think and communicate. One of the best ways to observe the difference a digit can make is to look at the difference in the function of a two-year-old versus a three-year-old child. The difference in their behavior, their language skills, their ability to understand, learn and interact is not simply a reflection of having “learned” more. It is a reflection of the difference between being able to process three rather than only two pieces of information at one time.

An improvement of even one digit can profoundly change your life. The longer and more consistently you work at the program, the further you will go.

What is my potential?

NACD clients have shown us that our potentials are essentially limitless.

NACD has worked with thousands of individuals with supposedly “limited” potential and watched them go beyond all the professionals’ expectations. Developing sequential processing is one of the most effective neurological interventions NACD employs in the remediation of developmental delays, learning problems, ADD/ADHD, and other diagnoses. Many NACD clients eventually shed their labels and end up testing in the normal or gifted range. NACD has seen many children and adults labeled with learning disabilities or ADD who had poor processing skills. Over time these individuals developed their processing skills into the “Superior” and even “Millennium Mind” levels.

What does the Inverted Pyramid mean?

The Inverted Pyramid is a graphic representation of how your mind and brain grow as you improve your processing skills. As your processing skills improve, your ability to perceive and understand the world—and to think—expands in almost exponential proportions. The levels advance from “Beginner” to “Intermediate” all the way up to “Millennium Mind.” This represents our perception of the complexity of your thought processes and your degree of access to your innate genetic potential.

How can I progress faster?

Don’t be concerned about how fast you are progressing, only that you are progressing. If your scores in the activities go up, and if your Baseline Test scores go up, that’s great. Remember that in “normal” development a child only progresses one digit in a year, and improvement of even a half a digit is significant. Keep in mind that consistency is important to progress. Getting enough sleep and good nutrition can be critical, and maintaining focus and intensity is mandatory. Learn to control and focus your intensity.

When should I stop using Simply Smarter?

Never! You cannot outlive the value of maintaining and developing your sequential processing skills. You can continue working to become all that you can be throughout your lifetime.

Important Terms and Concepts

Chaining

Chaining is the process of building a sequence in your mind by connecting the numerals.

For example, if the sequence is “5-9-6-7-2” and you think “five” “five-nine” “five-nine-six” “five-nine-six-seven” “five-nine-six-seven-two,” you are chaining each number to the preceding number in an attempt to remember the sequence.

To maximize your results we recommend you avoid chaining the numbers together.

Chunking

Chunking is the process of grouping individual numbers together instead of treating each number as a distinct piece.

For example, if the sequence is “8-0-1-6” and you think “eighty sixteen” you are processing two “chunks” of numbers instead of four individual numbers.

To maximize your results we recommend you avoid chunking the numbers together. It is important to treat each number as a separate unit of information.

Conceptualization

Conceptualization is thinking in words.

For example, to conceptualize the sequence “89021” you would think (or hear in your mind) “eight” “nine” “zero” “two” “one” instead of trying to “see” the numerals in your head as a picture. The ability to conceptualize is essential for skills such as verbal and written expression, auditory and reading comprehension, problem solving, and communication.

To develop your ability to conceptualize, follow the specific activity guidelines in this manual indicating when to use conceptualization as your primary strategy.

Visualization

Visualization is thinking in pictures.

For example, to visualize the sequence “3096” try to see the numerals “3096” in your mind as a picture.

Our ability to visualize is important for skills such as mathematical computation, spelling, and decision-making.

Follow the activity guidelines in this manual, which indicate when to use visualization as your primary strategy.

Frequency, Intensity, and Duration

Frequency refers to how often you do an activity.

Duration refers to how long you do an activity in a session.

Intensity refers to your attention and focus when doing the activities.

Of the three, intensity is by far the most important factor in how well you perform the activities and how efficiently and quickly you actually improve your processing.

It is imperative that you maintain high intensity every time you do the activities in this software.

For best results, do the activities often, with high intensity and focus, for short periods of time.