[OLPC-GSoC] Flash Card software (memorization)

[Omar Bazavilvazo]

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

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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.

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Additional template:
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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.