Hi! I read the ideas, and I´m interested on the flashcard software (http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Summer_of_Code/2008/Ideas#Flash_Card_creator). I posted my proposal on SoC student dashboard, however, didn't get any feedback yet.
I have been reading that maybe is a good idea to post my proposal here, so let me add what I wrote on SoC here, in case I can get a feedback before monday (when applications are closed) . Do I need to update somewhere else? You think I should put/remove something? any feedback is appreciated, thanks! Best Regards, Omar ============== The process of memorizing consists on moving information from short-term memory to the long-term memory. Accordingly to many scientific research the flashcards are one of the best ways to accomplish this task. Long-term memories need to be relearned occasionally to survive in our memory. Sebastian Leitner discovered that flashcards were very good tools for this process of relearning. Leitner’s research indicated that a lot of time was being wasted in going over material that was already learned. To make learning as time-efficient as possible, Leitner separated a cardboard box into various boxes and placed all of the flashcards in one of the middle boxes. Each card had a question on one side and the answer on the other. Leitner then checked all the cards: if he got the answer right, the card moved forward a compartment; if he got the answer wrong, the card moved back a compartment. Soon, Leitner had divided all of the cards into two categories: those he knew, and those he did not. He could then go back and study only those cards that gave him trouble, without wasting time going over information he had already learned. As he learned that troublesome information, he moved the cards ahead. The advantage of this method is that one can focus on the most difficult flashcards, which remain in the first boxes. The result is a reduction in the amount of study time needed. Many software uses this method, both commercial ones (such as SuperMemo, VTrain) or free (such as MemoryLifter, jMemorize, KVocTrain). The difference between each software is the implementation of this method, and the tools provided to the user thanks to the application. For example, some of the main features that I consider this FlashCard application should have are: -Unicode support: Since Japanese, Chinese, Russian and many non-latin languages are needed, Unicode support is a must on any modern application. -Learning Statistics: Needed to provide feedback about the learning progress over time. -Flash Cards (decks): Each deck contains many flashcards that have the question on one side, and the answer on the other. -Box System: Each flashcard needs to be put on a box, that will represent how well-learned a card is on a moment of time. The distribution of the flashcards inside the boxes will also give the idea of the progress. -Sample sentences: Can be provided for each flash card so the use on real life can be easily understood. -Printing: The possibility to print the cards for studying while traveling is also important, to complement the software. -Images support: Be able to insert images into the flashcards. -Find elements: Be able to look for a word on a deck, or in the current boxes. This is a draft of the possible features that I think this software could have. Further discussion is going to be needed to merge my idea with the application mentor. =================== Additional template: =================== If the answer to any of the following questions is "yes", please elaborate. Do you have experience working with open source projects? Yeah, I was developer for some years on the forum software called YaBBSE (http://yabbse.org) that changed into SMF (Simple Machines Forum - http://www.simplemachines.org/). For lack of time I quit the developer position but I’m still active there. Have you designed and carried out an entire (software, hardware, other) project before? Yeah, I have 10+ years working experience as a professional programmer, and worked for IBM and Hewlett-Packard among others as Programmer and Team Leader. We work with a number of languages from every part of the world. What human languages and scripts do you read and write? I speak & write fluently on English and Spanish, and to some degree Japanese Would you be able to visit Boston once during the course of the summer for a gathering with other interns and developers? (don't say yes if it would be inconvenient, this is just to get a sense of the potential size of such an event) I think a 1 or 2 weeks trip to USA is not a problem in my university. Please describe anything else you think is worth sharing, about your own goals, this program, or the world in general. I have a strong desire to help open source projects since I think that not everybody can afford commercial products, and the quality of many open source products is the same or higher than the commercial counterpart. I hope that my background gives you confidence about my ability to handle & complete projects. Since I’m studying master and I’m a student again, I really want to be part of this program and your project sounds very interesting to me. Since I have studying Japanese with the help of flash cards I;m really interested on implementing all the features I never found on the software I have used. _______________________________________________ Gsoc mailing list [email protected] http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/gsoc
