Learning App
Background
Research has uncovered a concerning lack of resources specifically designed to enhance written skills in dyslexic students. Inspired by this revelation, Cactus has conceived a solution that effectively utilizes our knowledge and expertise to alleviate their difficulties.
In collaboration with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), we have conducted surveys and user feedback sessions to further refine the application. We have also taken advantage of an opportunity to participate in a mentorship program facilitated by the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education. During this program, our esteemed advisor, Professor Kenneth Sin, has provided invaluable guidance. Through this platform, we not only received specific user feedback but also expanded the sample size for rigorous testing and improvement.
With the support of these networks, including the UNITAR Youth Ambassador Asia Pacific Program (YAAPP), Cactus has ambitious aspirations to expand the scope of our project. Our goal is to ensure its wide-reaching impact and to provide a transformative learning pathway for an increasing number of students with special educational needs.
Design
Cactus recognizes that children, especially those with Special Educational Needs, thrive when motivated by engaging and encouraging learning experiences. We devised an Android application—a captivating game, coded utilizing MIT App Inventor.
This innovative tool enables users with Android devices to practice writing Chinese characters via touchscreen interaction. We created an Android app using MIT App Inventor. It's a fun game that lets users practice writing Chinese characters on a touchscreen.
To make it even better, we added stickers and GIFs with positive messages to create a supportive environment. We also made sure to include features that would help dyslexic children, like using different colors for strokes to help with memorization and using vibrant colors to show different parts of words. It is designed like a game with different levels so that children will have more incentive to learn Chinese.
Instructions
There are numerous features in the app, including:
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The "Menu" button in the top left corner - a text box will pop up for you to type in a level to skip to
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The "Restart" button in the top right corner - clears your previous drawings
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The frontal display - shows the current level, word and date
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The "Skip" button - allows you to skip the current word and move to other words in the same level
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The "Hints" button - a GIF will pop up to show the stroke order of the current word
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Draw with your finger on the canvas of the word - the pen icon will follow your movements
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When you are ready, click the "Submit" button. If it is correct, it will display a sticker.
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Have fun!