learn and smile

Category: Articles

Articles about developing innovative ways to learn, apps, 3D solutions

  • Platform Independent Multi-user VR Space to Learn

    Platform Independent Multi-user VR Space to Learn

    Can you imagine entering a 3D space to learn languages, history or mathematics? I believe it will be an inevitable tool in our future learning process. This is a growing field, a blue ocean for developers. I am curious how these system will change the field of education.

    There are many prototypes and solutions. Here I just list a few of them:

    The video is of course from the Engage team. Their software is great, it’s worth trying it. You can use it in non-VR mode too on a PC. It may have a few limitations though: You need a windows system to use it.

    So how can we contribute in this field? Maybe by getting rid of some limitations?

    It is possile to create a VR space with the following properties:

    1. VR and non-VR mode: You can enter the same space using VR and using just a normal computer screen
    2. Platform independence: you can enter using cardboard, Gear VR, Oculus, Vive, PC, Mac or practically any other Unity 3D target device
    3. Massive multi-user experience: It is possible for a few hundred users to be present in the same space, mixing VR, non-VR and all platforms.

    Engage VR titanic

    I wonder why this space doesn’t exist already? So we set out to push this concept at least until a well usable prototype stage. What we did:

    • server structure to store user locations and directions
    • client functionality to read all user locations in every 100 ms
    • client funcitonality to post own user location every 100 ms
    • Tested on these platforms: WebGL, PC, Android and Unity editor (should work on any platform)

    Multiuser VR learning space

    Of course this is just a pretotype – I am really embarassed to show this humble picture – but already users from different platforms are present.

    Our next steps:

    • Research similar solutions, like Engage (4-8h)
    • Clarify necessary functionalities (4-16h)
    • Build prototype that we can publish (8-32h)
    • Look for possible partners (writing emails basically 1-3h)

    Our questions for you:

    1. What content would you put into this environment?
    2. What would be your main user device?
    3. What feature would be the most critical for you?

    We are in this together. Let us know how we can help creating our future education platform.

    Engage VR users having fun

    Author: Zsolt Balai, software developer and 3D learning space designer. This article was first published on ancientc.com, then moved here to learnandsmile.net.

  • Learning Progress System

    Learning Progress System

    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

    Orwell camera surveillanceToday 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.

    certificate storage format example goethe germanWe 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

    goethec1exampleIn 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.

    learnin progress system overview

    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?

    Author: Zsolt Balai, software developer and 3D learning space designer. This article was first published on ancientc.com, then moved here to learnandsmile.net.

  • Language Mahjong 3D Learn Chinese finally published

    Language Mahjong 3D Learn Chinese finally published

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

    Get it on Google Play

    Available on the App Store

    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!

    Author: Zsolt Balai, software developer and 3D learning space designer. This article was first published on ancientc.com, then moved here to learnandsmile.net.