Spanish Learning Program Plan
created March 1st 2007
Background
Matrix Discovery had great success. It was accepted by 2 leading software directories (Softpedia and Freewarefiles) and it receives 7-9 downloads daily from these sources. It is also ranked 1 and 2 in a “matrix discovery” search on Google.ca. Therefore, seeing that learning programs have significant success, the next step is to build a free, fully functional, competitive alternative to commercial and costly software. A review of a few of these programs is available at http://learn-spanish-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
Description
The software will be built in Adobe's Flash 8 production environment. The Spanish Learning program (first of all a name should be agreed upon) will be built slightly on the Matrix Discovery framework, but with a more intuitive interface and an abundance of new features. Character X (X will have a name) will be guiding the player in all the modules. It will be a mascot for the program, and probably a human-like character so the program does not look childish. The player used for most modules will be an updated version of the Matrix Discovery Player. Modules that will be included are:
Presentation Mode: Similar to the Presentation Mode in Matrix Discovery, this mode will feature a wide array of audio/video presentations to enable the user to learn all the concepts easily and quickly.
Speech Practice Mode: This mode will feature a wide array of words from different domains (aka fruits, transportation etc..). The narrator will speak the word, then allow the user to record his voice saying it and compare it to the narrator's. (This could also be used to train the user to the speech recognition module, see under work dispersion)
Exercise Mode: By selecting this mode, the user will have access to a wide array of exercises that will be updated periodically. There will be many activities to choose from like crossword, translating, etc...
Conversation Mode: The most difficult modes of them all (I'm wondering if it can be implemented at all) would be the user chatting with X, and X answering to the user's questions, comments, etc..
Situation Mode: (not sure if needed) The user will be presented with various situations (beach, airport, hotel) where he would have to choose the right answer (I guess it's useful for travelers)
Test Mode: The user will pass a series of multiple-choice questions in order to determine his understanding of Spanish grammar (oral test would be good too)
Resource Mode: Dictionary, maybe a grammar checker, etc...or maybe just links to free online resources
Work Dispersion (the numbers in parenthesis indicate the number of preferred people)
Module Programmers and animators – Self explanatory (as many as possible:))
Graphical designers – Retrieve free images or design them, as well as other graphical elements. Also design X (1-2)
Speech Recognition – Find the best way to implement a speech recognition module in the program and deploy it (1)
Narrators – Self explanatory (3-4 )
Exercise designers – Self explanatory (2-3)
Website designer – Someone to make the website (1)
Note: The numbers are only an estimate. Anyone can participate anywhere and in as much project branches as they want.
Compensation
This program will be distributed freely, therefore there will be no direct profit made from it. However, the website will feature google adsense (or any competitor) banners as well as a donation button, and this revenue will be split equally. To this will be added the experience of working on a commercially comparable project.
This project plan is not finalized. Feedback is welcomed. Please notify me of any idea, changes you would like, etc... Everyone on the team should mutually agree to the final project plan. If you are not a 110mb user and cannot post on the forum, contact me at andrei9992000@yahoo.ca
Thank You