2007-07-09 12:27 Alexei Vinidiktov
I’ll briefly outline what the first version of the English vocabulary memorization program for mobile phones will look like.
The full course will consist of 6 separate episodes. Each episode will contain 1,000 words. Words in episodes will be distributed by frequency: the first episode covers the top 1,000 most common words, the second episode the next 1,000, and so on. Each word will include:
- Its translation (most frequent meaning)
- Transcription (likely practical transcription using Russian letters, though standard IPA may be included if feasible)
- One example sentence for usage
Learning Process Structure
Users can select one of 10 lessons per episode. Each lesson contains 100 words. Learning each lesson will progress through 6 stages. Currently, I favor this 6-stage model:
Stage 1: Active Recall
- Russian words are shown sequentially.
- User must recall the English translation without hints.
- If successful: word moves to “Mastered” status.
- If unsuccessful: word moves to Stage 2.
- Stage 2 begins when the user fails 3 words in Stage 1.
Stage 2: Multiple Choice (2 Options)
- English words are shown with 2 Russian translation options.
- User selects the correct translation.
- If incorrect: Program shows the correct answer + example sentence.
- If correct: Program proceeds to the next word.
- When Stage 1 is complete:
- If <6 words need Stage 3 → Return to Stage 1 (new words).
- If ≥6 words need Stage 3 → Proceed to Stage 3.
Stage 3: Multiple Choice (3 Options)
- Identical to Stage 2, but with 3 Russian translation options (increased difficulty).
- Error handling: Same as Stage 2 (correct answer + example shown).
- Transition to Stage 4 when ≥12 words qualify. If fewer → Return to Stage 1.
Stage 4: Reverse Multiple Choice (2 Options)
- Russian words are shown with 2 English translation options.
- Process mirrors Stages 2–3.
- Stage 5 begins when ≥24 words qualify.
Stage 5: Reverse Multiple Choice (3 Options)
- Identical to Stage 4, but with 3 English translation options.
- Stage 6 begins when ≥48 words qualify.
Stage 6: Final Mastery Test
- Similar to Stage 1, but tests words that passed all previous stages (not new words).
- Russian word shown → User recalls English translation without hints.
- If correct: Word moves to “Mastered”.
- If incorrect: Word returns to Stage 1.
Key Features
- Adaptive Thresholds: Words advance only when sufficient quantities accumulate at each stage (3→6→12→24→48).
- Error Correction: Incorrect answers always display the correct translation + example sentence.
- Progressive Difficulty: Recognition tasks evolve from 2→3→4→5 options, then transition to active recall.
- Frequency-Based Learning: Prioritizes high-utility vocabulary (Episodes 1–6 = 6,000 most common words).
Design Philosophy
This simple yet effective scheme combines:
- Ideas from my other program, Vocabilis.
- New concepts developed specifically for mobile learning.
The system balances challenge and reinforcement, ensuring words are deeply encoded before mastery. By cycling through recognition, reverse recognition, and recall, it builds robust vocabulary retention optimized for mobile micro-learning sessions.