We certainly need an integrated system to store our learning progress in our lifelong learning journey. Here I would present my ideas about such a system.

Problem: For example I’ve started Spanish on Duolinguo, MindSnacks and Babbel. I also made a DELE examination. My progress is saved independently by each provider. Would I want to start using another system, I would have to start again evaluating my progress and setting up all these details. Also if a company goes bankrupt or a site disappears (sharedtalk.com, livemocha.com, …) all my data and contacts are lost.

One could create a format/platform/solution with the following features:

1. Independence from companies, institutions or countries
2. Provable linked certificates
3. Integration to a wide range of learning apps, schools or other solutions

 

Independence from companies, institutions or countries

Today we certainly have our share of company and government surveillance. Moreover if our data is stored on company servers in their own formats we are bound to these companies. This is where open formats can play a big role: They can assure that our data stays moveable, flexible and thus timeless.

Our data needs to be easily readable and clonable to other storage services.

We don’t need much information for a certificate, just about 6-10 fields. This can be stored in a simple text format, json, XML or anything flexible and human readable. The case is that any advanced computer system in 2030(2080) should be able to read and evaluate it correctly.

Provable Linked Certificates

In our store data valid links would point to certifying institutions. A call to this link shows valid information about details of the certificate from the storage of the institution.

Integration to a wide range of learning apps, schools or other solutions

This format/platform then would be linked into hundreds of learning applications. In these applications there would be an optional button: sync my learning progress. There one could enter the actual learning progress system address and authorization and this way the app could post progress information just one time or periodically.

This way the learner would OWN his progress data and would not depend on app developers, companies or even countries.

Questions

1. What would be the first steps for such a format/platform?
2. What institute could coordinate with these other institutions and establish such a convention/structure?
3. If I create a prototype for such a system what conferences would be interested in showing it?

You can contact me(shine at ancientc.com) or leave a comment below.

Finally in November 2016 Language Mahjong 3D for Chinese was published!

What it feels like finally publishing something so long in the works? Exhilarating 🙂

It was really a long run, I started working on this idea in 2011. It then entered development hell multiple times.
You can find the starting of the story here.

Was it financially worth it? Maybe not.

Would I do it again? Yes.

Why? Because I learned a lot about game design, development, graphic design, interaction design, app marketing and so on. First of all I learned about proper prior planning (prevents piss poor performance). I think a school can prepare you for these kind of challenges, but it can not solve problems instead of you. This is why good schools use real life challenges in their curriculum.

For example no one told me, that I am my worst client. Before I always had a client, I was told what results are expected of me until when. This time I had no time limit and no exact definition what was expected of me. This is why it took five years to complete this relatively small project.

Now it would look like this:
Game research: 50 hours
Game design: 30 hours
Development: 80 hours
Ads and Analytics: 20 hours
Publish Android: 10 hours
Publish iOS: 30 hours
Unexpected tasks: 30 hours
————————————
Total 250 hours

Plus content + graphics: 10-500 hours

Anyway the idea of teaching people using applications is still hot for me. I strongly believe in blended learning, where we use different methods to experience new languages. I think with our current books and digital materials we only cover around 20-30% of the possibilities, there are blue oceans outside waiting to be covered.

Or do you believe in more conventional methods like filling workbooks with your writing in the target language like Richard Simcott?

Let me know what you think!