Oratio's Classroom

Abstract

We live in a technological era, an epoch where once fictional ideas are now possible. While some things have changed over the years, the education system still relies on many outdated technologies such as blackboards and repetitive unrewarding exercises. In order to try to gradually improve and change this cycle, Insignio Labs took on the objective of developing "Oratio’s Classroom", a multifaceted platform for teaching which makes full use of the current technologies. The main focus of the software developed during this internship is to become a main part of Insignio Labs "Oratio’s Classroom" full application. During the first semester, a module, similar to Windows paint but working as an overlay of other application, was developed allowing the user to signal, take notes and even draw on top of any of any of the applications developed by Insignio Labs. The capability to add notes is of major importance for the application to have educational uses and value as it creates the possibility to completely replace the blackboard in classes where Oratio’s Classroom is present by creating digital notes which could easily be shared, viewed and changed at will. During the second semester, an application with functionality similar to the known web page "Duolingo" was planned and developed. Using a design directed to children and many pedagogical techniques coupled with a fun game-play, this application has the objective of providing a fun and easier introduction to the world of music, more specifically, to the rhythmic part of it. This report documents all the steps taken when developing this last application, both the ones regarding programming and choices made about the technologies, and the ones which encompass user interaction and design choices.