Tossing the CD into my computer (you need an optical reader to use ChineseCUBES) I opened up the Quickstart Guide and followed along with the step-by-step instructions. 10 minutes later I had my study station setup and the software launched. It was time to explore.
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| ChineseCUBES Learning Pad and Webcam |
For those who don't know, ChineseCUBES is "a Chinese-learning software that incorporates Augmented Reality (AR) technology and tactile cubes to assist Mandarin language learning." Rather than dialogues or grammar exercises, ChineseCUBES puts focus on Chinese characters, allowing users to explore how words and sentences are combined through either a learning or freestyle mode.
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| ChineseCUBES learning mode. |
In learning mode every mini lesson highlights a new character, teaching users how they interact. Starting from“好" users learn how various cubes (characters) combine to form words and sentences. At every step users are encouraged to explore more about the characters by clicking on the "SPEAK," "TRANSLATE," and "WRITE" buttons, or using the corresponding cubes.
With every cube (and lesson) users are encouraged to speak aloud and physically write the characters with the pad and pen provided. The stroke animations are clear and the writing pad works just fine. Every time the program asked me to speak aloud, however, I couldn't help but think that there should be a recording option built into the program that appears automatically on the screen, not only reinforcing the need to physically say a word or phrase out loud, but also to allow users to hear what they sound like and make necessary adjustments.
In learning mode, each theme revolves around a set of cubes. As you progress in levels you combined new cubes with cubes that you've already studying with. The progression and speed feels right for beginners and the challenges provided in between lessons,test retention on characters that you've already learned, for example: character and pinyin matching, character and sound matching etc..
While a recording option would be nice, there is one thing that I feel must be changed in learning mode, the hints. Whenever you are asked to find a new cube, or make a new phrase the program would politely remind you that a hint was on the bottom of the screen, if you needed it. The problem, however, is that like displaying pinyin under characters, hints are a language leaners kryptonite-- it kills our ability to use our brain and actually try to comprehend the information! Hints are good, and should be provided, but at least make it a click button away, or wait 5 seconds. Displaying something on the bottom of the screen forever is not hint, it's just the answer.
Freestyle Mode
The cool factor of ChineseCUBES is actually in Freestyle Mode, where users can use cubes and discover how Chinese works. Freestyle Mode is the area that sets ChineseCUBES apart from a traditional textbook. Rather than waiting for a lesson on how characters interact, users can explore on their own. For those still in need of guidance, there are hints that appear on the side of the screen if a particular phrase is a bit off. At any time during the exploration process you can also uncover the translation and speak options to reinforce what you've just learned.
Being no stranger to beginner textbooks or teaching material, I found myself asking which elements of ChineseCUBES could I use in my own classroom, and how might they stack up against a traditional textbook.
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| ChineseCUBES vs. a textbook, according to the website. |
But is that enough to replace a traditional textbook?
While a textbook might feel daunting on its own, I'm of the opinion that any good teacher should never allow a textbook to guide the learning process... that's the teachers job. And while spiral learning is something that a program like ChineseCUBES does better than most, the thing that learning mode seems to be missing is a textbook feel; bad dialogues, cheesy story lines, and the ocasional one-liner sentence practice. Learning that "你" "好" and "嗎" can be combined together is great, but I wanted ChineseCUBES to actually ask me "你好嗎," while I reach for the blocks to respond. I wanted to make my own bad dialogue with the characters I've just learned and watch the drama unfold on screen!
ChineseCUBES does execute the unlimited practice part quite well, but there are still some things left to be desired. According to the website, "40 characters alone are able to form 2,500 unique phrases and sentences," but how do I know when I've discovered them all? With the growing popularity of gamification, ChineseCUBES could gain a lot by adding challenges and unlocks: coins when you discover a new word, a dancing AR tutor when you get a phrase correct... the skies the limit! It would also be great to review previous discoveries and create them over and over again.
If they could find a way to fit those kinds of elements into the learning process, it would makes ChineseCUBES that much better. One thing is for sure, ChineseCUBES is taking a very different approach to character discovery, and I give the company credit for that. Beyond being a novel approach there is no question that countless hours have gone into the manufacture and development of this product, it feels much more polished that many language learning products on the market.
If you're interested in checking out more about ChineseCUBES, or would like to purchase ChineseCUBES for yourself or your classroom, be sure to check out their website or youtube videos for more information.
ChineseCUBES website
ChineseCUBES video
**FULL DISCLOSURE**
ChineseCUBES was gracious enough to send me their product for review. I am grateful that I was given this opportunity and sorry that this review took so long. Life (and school) got in the way for far too long!
That looks like a great product, and could certainly complement learning Mandarin online with live instructors using video conferencing
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