At first sight, the newest addition to the e-learning market iKnow looks a bit like something Sesame Street might have created with huge bubble letters, primary colours and oversized buttons. But at closer look, the incredibly interactive iKnow is quite extensive and high tech.

iKnow was created by Cerego, a Japanese think tank, which has combined cognitive science with the power of the Web, allowing people to “learn faster, remember longer, and manage their knowledge.”

The site offers English vocabulary extension, SAT preparation and Japanese language courses.  According to a TechCrunch article, iKnow calls itself “an intelligent social learning platform” a description that fits the site well because the social aspects of iKnow are what makes it stand out as a flagship site by getting users involved and connected.

The user-generated content on iKnow is a key element in the learning process with iKnow users expected to create and contribute content for public use that will aid them in the studying process.

Users upload various YouTube links, everything from rap videos to presidential speeches, from which key words or sentences are extracted, defined, translated and displayed in tabbed form along with the link.

The social networking component of the site also enhances the users’ experience with video, images, audio and gaming content geared toward the learning process. Users can share their experiences with their iKnow friends, keep an online journal, show their study progress and share information on themselves.
With its already extensive content, and the recent announcement of Cerego opening up its learning API for third party developers, iKnow is bound to expand and is definitely a site worth watching.