Web based interactive platform for learning by hearing

Abstract

Purpose: To implement a user-friendly web based interactive platform to teach subjects requiring voice or audio illustrations such as teaching English or any language, radio animation, music, poetry, Koran recitation or learning by hart, or developing oral communication skills. Method: Several technologies (Php5, Codeigniter, html5, Css3, Jquery, Java, Flex, Ajax,...) are used to implement the web based interactive user-friendly interface for learning by hearing and repeating. The learner may be a naïve user in terms of Internet and computer use. He/she needs only to click on a link and to enter as a regular or invited learner. It also may be used by visually impaired people. The teacher conducts the course and gives rights to the learner to talk individually or simultaneously. The platform should be implemented in a modular way so that one can augment it by new modules or by existing tools such as forums. Results: The platform has been conceived for several applications. Particular attention has been given to learning Koran by hart. The teacher pronounces a verse, or a segment of it, once or twice by rigorously respecting the rules of Koran recitation (Tajwid). To help the visually non-impaired learners learn verses by hart, verses are displayed on the screen and then masked progressively until all learners can recite the verses by hart. Discussion: The experiment has been conducted successfully. The platform presents several advantages with respect to VoIP tools which are not dedicated to learning by hearing and repeating.