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+--- Thread: Open-Source Dynamic Multi-Language Learning Tool (/thread-10073.html)
Open-Source Dynamic Multi-Language Learning Tool - chrismerck - 2012-10-18
I propose creating the ultimate self-study tool for beginner and intermediate learners of any language. I post about it here because (1) Japanese will definitely be supported by this project and (2) I value the unique perspective that the Koohii community can bring to this endeavor.
My inspiration comes from my dissatisfaction with existing solutions (like Rosetta Stone) and from witnessing the power of community-driven content (such as Reviewing the Kanji and the work people have done in putting together Anki decks.)
This project seeks to provide a course which will take an absolute beginner and bring them up to a low intermediate level, and then assist through the intermediate phase. For the moment I will assume that the learner is already familiar with the script and the sounds of the language. What remains is to provide a package of core content covering a broad range of everyday topics and including implicitly the first few thousand most frequent vocabulary items and the most useful grammatical patterns.
In terms of high-level desired features, the project will be:
1) Free: licensed under Creative Commons Share-Alike Non-Commercial or similar
2) Structured: high-level flow of language level and topics is defined separately from the detailed content
3) Crowd-Sourced: structure and content provided by the community
4) Accurate: a moderation system (also crowd-sourced) will ensure accuracy
5) Multi-Language: many languages can be supported easily (it's just one more column in the database)
6) Dynamic: as new content is approved, it becomes available for learners to use
7) Multimedia: pictures, text, and audio for each item
8) SRS-based: reviews are scheduled so as to optimize memory storage strength
9) Unambiguous: pictures and translation disambiguate meaning. No vocabulary taught outside meaningful utterances (with possible exception of concrete nouns).
10) Portable: usable from traditional PC platforms and mobile devices
Right now the biggest implementation obstacle I have is related to #2 above: How can a logical and pedagogically-sound structure be maintained when the content is crowd-sourced? And, to what extent can the structure also be crowd-sourced? This definitely needs some theoretical work. I especially welcome suggestions here. When this structure concept is solid, all the rest will fall into place.
For the content contribution system, I imagine a web interface would be suitable. Perhaps a custom backend, perhaps a wiki engine? It is important to make content contribution accessible and fast.
There is also the question of how this will be deployed. It would be easy to maintain a database that can export to Anki decks, but it will be important to show content in a logical order (i.e., following the structure). Perhaps tags can be used to do reviews on certain topics or units of the course, so that the learner is not blasted with a grab-bag of unrelated reviews every time they study. The problem with using Anki is that we don't have high-level control over the topic flow... Major brainstorming is needed here too.
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Thanks in advance for your opinions, suggestions, criticisms, encouragement, and other assistance,
- Chris
Open-Source Dynamic Multi-Language Learning Tool - xfact2007 - 2012-10-19
How much is this different from the future versions of the already available projects
(like duolingo and memrise)?
I mean, duolingo is I-V) free, structured, crowd-sourced, somewhat accurate,
will support more languages, VI) in the next year the users can add new content.
Memrise is 8) SRS-based, already has 7) multimedia content, also the creators
want to maintain it as a wiki system.
And both projects has portable apps.
I can not comment more because it takes me ages to write a simple paragraph XD
Open-Source Dynamic Multi-Language Learning Tool - shinsen - 2012-10-19
chrismerck Wrote:For the content contribution system, I imagine a web interface would be suitable. Perhaps a custom backend, perhaps a wiki engine?Depends on your skills. What programming languages and databases are you proficient in?
Open-Source Dynamic Multi-Language Learning Tool - chrismerck - 2012-10-20
xfact2007: Ok, so memrise is cool, but duolinguo is blowing me away. Sure, I have some critiques, but thanks for the link. Maybe I don't need to do this lone-wolf after all.
shinsen: I know C/C++/C# and python well. So, any web interface I build would probably use Django/Python. But as long as I know people with the skills I need it's not such a problem, eh?
I just wish that duolingo supported Chinese and Japanese. I'm sure they will get there though.