The "Introduction to Pinyin" project was created to help English-speaking beginners learn Pinyin, a romanization system for Mandarin Chinese. Designed as an interactive learning management system (LMS), the course focused on foundational elements such as Pinyin’s history, tones, numbers, and basic phrases. Inspired by platforms like Duolingo and Rosetta Stone, the project applied learner-centered design principles and utilized multimedia tools to ensure an engaging and accessible experience.
Develop an Educational System:
Create an LMS that is engaging and learner-centered, focusing on a specific subject (in this case, Pinyin, a romanization system for Mandarin).
Set Clear Learning Objectives:
The system must have defined learning objectives that guide the content and assessments. Examples in this project included recalling Pinyin tones, counting to five, and analyzing simple greetings.
Apply HCI Principles:
Implement learner-centered principles such as multimedia learning, segmentation, user control, and feedback mechanisms to enhance the learning experience.
Iterative Design and Testing:
Test the system with real participants to gather feedback, assess performance, and iterate on the design.
Evaluate Outcomes:
Measure the system’s effectiveness through pre-tests and post-tests, analyzing participant progress and overall success.
Document the Process:
Provide a comprehensive report detailing the system’s design, implementation, challenges, evaluation results, and future improvements.
To address the challenges of teaching Pinyin to English-speaking beginners, the "Introduction to Pinyin" project was developed as an interactive and learner-centered learning management system (LMS). The solution focused on providing a structured, multimedia-rich environment for learners to achieve foundational proficiency in Pinyin.
Key Features of the Solution:Interactive Course Design:
The LMS was designed using Articulate360 and Rise, enabling the integration of multimedia elements such as videos, images, and interactive quizzes. This approach helped learners engage with the content through multiple modalities.
Custom Content Creation:
To represent Pinyin tones accurately, custom graphics were created using Adobe Illustrator. These visuals were embedded into instructional videos developed with Adobe Premiere, ensuring learners could see, hear, and practice tones in context.
Pre-Tests and Post-Tests:
Learner performance was measured through pre-tests and post-tests featuring various question formats, including multiple-choice, matching, and fill-in-the-blank. These assessments provided automated feedback and data to evaluate learning progress.
Segmentation for Accessibility:
The course was divided into manageable sections, covering topics like Pinyin history, tones, numbers, and greetings. Each section included short videos, flashcards, and practice activities, allowing learners to progress at their own pace.
Learner-Centered Features:
The LMS prioritized flexibility by giving learners control over their learning journey. They could review sections, revisit materials, and practice using flashcards before attempting the final assessment.
Application of HCI Principles:
Principles like multimedia learning, coherence, and user control were implemented throughout the system. Text, audio, and visuals were aligned closely to maximize comprehension, and unnecessary elements were excluded to reduce distractions. The resulting system successfully combined technical tools and HCI principles to deliver a tailored and effective learning experience for Pinyin beginners.
The "Introduction to Pinyin" project demonstrated significant success in achieving its learning objectives, as evidenced by participant performance and feedback.
Participant Performance:
Of the 21 participants recruited, 13 completed the course. Pre-test scores had a mean of 4.08 (out of 11) with a standard deviation of 1.8. Post-test scores improved to a mean of 7.85 with a standard deviation of 2.41, indicating substantial learning progress. A calculated effect size of 0.78 suggests a near-large impact on learning outcomes, while a t-test p-value of 0.0003 confirms the improvement was statistically significant.
User Engagement:
Learners appreciated the multimedia approach, including videos and flashcards, which enhanced understanding of tones and pronunciation. The segmentation of content allowed learners to move through the course at their own pace, boosting accessibility and comprehension.
System Effectiveness: Automated grading and data collection via the Rise platform streamlined the evaluation process, providing insights into learner progress, completion rates, and time spent on activities.
Areas for Improvement: Some learners faced challenges during onboarding, and one participant accidentally began the post-test prematurely. Future iterations could address these issues with enhanced instructions, savable partial scoring for tests, and social features to boost motivation. The project successfully delivered a foundational understanding of Pinyin, demonstrating the effectiveness of applying learner-centered design principles in an LMS context.
