When I practiced teaching at a kindergarten, I observed children with diverse language abilities. While I recognized the need for individualized language instruction, it was challenging for teachers to provide personalized attention to each child's language level.
I believed interactive digital media could solve the challenge of individualized language education. For my Early Childhood Language Education project, I analyzed two digital products to assess their effectiveness in providing personalized learning experiences.
Problem
Analyze usability of Korean learning apps through different language development levels
Evaluate suitability for early childhood education settings
Goal
Duration
2024.03.-2024.06.
Problem Statement
Digital products have problems supporting
individualized language education in kindergartens.
I regarded digital products as a solution for individualized language education, valuing their interactive and adaptable nature. I wanted to know if existing digital products are suitable for individualized language education. Therefore, I analyzed existing products based on developmental appropriateness, curriculum alignment, and practical feasibility to identify their suitability and potential improvements.
Understanding the Problem
Diverse language levels require personalized teaching
During my kindergarten practice, I observed significant variations in children's language abilities. While some 3-year-olds could express themselves clearly and write their names, others struggled with basic communication. This convinced me of the need for individualized language instruction.
Teachers have troble supporting all children respectively.
To understand how individualized language education is implemented in practice, I interviewed three kindergarten teachers. They all acknowledged the difficulty of providing individualized language education in a kindergarten setting, and one teacher shared how they create custom materials to support individual needs.
Children with unclear pronunciation often experience conflicts with their peers. Though we help resolve these situations, providing constant individual support isn't feasible.
I agree that language levels affect participation and require personalized attention. However, providing one-on-one instruction is challenging in group-based kindergarten settings.
Language delays often involve multiple developmental aspects, making continuous individual support challenging. Instead, I create custom materials to meet each child's educational needs.
Digital Product Selection
Pinkfong! 가나다 Hangeul(‘Ga‘, ‘Na‘, and ‘Da‘—Korean Language)
Given Pinkfong's leading position in educational apps across 112 countries and App Store recognition, I examined its suitability for kindergarten-level Korean language education.
Reasons for Selection
Analysis by Four Language Skills
Writing Korean
With over 50,000 downloads and unique features for Korean writing practice by language forms, I aim to assess its educational value.
Reasons for Selection
Analysis by Four Language Skills
Target User
During my practicum, I encountered children showing varying levels of language development, and created two personas based on the observations of children with fast and slow language skill development.
Case 1: Fast Language Learner
Case 2: Slow Language Learner
Usability for Target Users
Pinkfong! 가나다 Hangeul
Both children dislike the 'word game' due to its difficulty for 3-year-olds, but for different reasons: Naho wanted slower game speed, while Jiyong struggled with unfamiliar vocabulary.
Writing Korean
While both Naho and Jiyong dislike the 'letter tracing' feature, their reasons differ: Naho finds single-syllable practice too simple, while Jiyong lacks interest in mere letter tracing.
Analysis Based on Kindergarten Curriculum
Pinkfong! 가나다 Hangeul
While effective for listening skills and letter recognition, the app's limited content restricts self-expression and application. It also fails to meet the 'Enjoying Books and Stories' criteria due to the absence of literary elements.
Writing Korean
'Hangeul Writing' is suitable as an app for enhancing writing skills, allowing children to develop interest in letters and practice writing, but lacks opportunities for developing speaking and listening skills. Furthermore, it doesn't provide opportunities for self-expression or contextual word application.
Analysis Based on Kindergarten Environment
Drawing from my kindergarten practicum experience, I analyzed each product's strengths and areas requiring improvement for effective classroom use.
Pinkfong! 가나다 Hangeul
Writing Korean
Areas for Improvement
Reflection
Digital products for young children require a gentle, nurturing approach in their design - much like how a parent or teacher would guide a child's first steps. When children learn, they're like little explorers venturing into unknown territories of knowledge. They can grow holistically when they successfully navigate this process. Therefore, product designers need to guide them through this learning journey with careful consideration.
Using the insights gained from my kindergarten teaching experience, I want to create an educational digital product that addresses language development differences, an issue I've been interested in since my practicum. I aim to create an educational digital product addressing language development differences, informed by my analysis of existing products across three key areas: developmental appropriateness, curriculum alignment, and practical implementation. The gaps identified present opportunities for enhanced educational effectiveness through targeted improvements.