Picture Based Learning With Visualised Learning Progress

Summary

DAZonline is a web application that allows students to learn German as a foreign language. "DAZ" being an abbreviation for "Deutsch als Zweitsprache" (German as a second language); the application is based on a picture based learning approach in combination with audio content. Students receive visual feedback on their progress and therefore can manage their learning process on their own.

Key terms

Frontend: Angular, TypeScript and Bootstrap
Backend: PHP, MySQL, Parzu (Natural Language Processing)

Project goal

The goal of this project was to further develop and visualize the learning progress of the students. A new and important feature was to allow students to create a vocubulary request, by uploading a picture indicating the words they want to learn. The vocabulary requests are then reviewed by the teacher.

Initial situation

DAZonline is an ongoing project at the FHNW. The teams before us laid a solid base for learning with pictures. But for the platform to grow further, a new vision was needed. Together with our customer we developed a vision addressing the needs of the students and the teachers for a more interactive learning experience. We focused on interactivity and visualisation because we believe that this is the key to a successful learning experience.

Benefits of our solution

Creating a vocabulary request is as easy to use and as intuitive as possible. Keeping in mind that the target audience does not speak German, the use of icons and pictures make the user interface accessible for everyone. Now teachers can upload new word lists in accordance with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Furthermore, the newly uploaded images are automatically analyzed by the Natural Language Processing tool Parzu and classified into the appropriate level.

Results

• Hotspots, and therefore images, are now directly assigned to the highest language level by use of natural language processing.
• The vocabulary requests allow students to learn words that are relevant to them.
• The word browser allows students to track their progress in a more detailed way - enabling them to see which words they have learned and which words they still need to learn.
• Students are now able to choose a specific language level and only learn words that are relevant to that level. Furthermore, they can track their progress of a specific language level in a more detailed way.
• Teachers are now able to flexibly create and edit new language levels and add words to them.

Project data

• Time frame: February 2022 - January 2023
• Total hours: 2.160
• Team size: 6 members

Clients

Susanne Grassmann (info@dazonline.ch), Verein Lernbild Cornelia Lahmann

Project team

Yves Baechtiger Rainer Lehner Aaron Müller Nils Stutz Manuel Patrone Lukas Weber

Agile Coach

Gabriela von Wyl

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