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Ocean View Games
Vocabulary Games for Endangered Languages

Vocabulary Games for Endangered Languages

Nine vocabulary learning games for The Language Conservancy, built by David as a freelance contractor rather than as an Ocean View Games project. Published on iOS and Android and used across 14 language apps.

Summary

The challenge
The Language Conservancy wanted engaging learning apps for the endangered and Indigenous languages it supports.
David's role
Working as a freelance contractor, not through Ocean View Games, David Edgecombe was lead developer on nine vocabulary mini-games for iOS and Android.
The result
The games are used across 14 published language apps, each published separately for its own language community.
The Language Conservancy (TLC) works with communities to revitalise endangered and Indigenous languages. It wanted engaging mobile apps that help learners build vocabulary in each of those languages. Nine games for vocabulary learning. Vocab Builder is a set of nine mini-games for iOS and Android. Players meet each word through pictures, audio and its written form, then practise it through flash cards, spelling and quiz games. Language expertise stays with the client. TLC provides the linguistic content and cultural guidance; David's role as lead developer was to turn that material into playable learning experiences. The same experience now informs our educational game development service. Used across 14 published language apps. Stoney Vocab Builder, linked at the top of this page, is one of them. Rincon Luiseño Vocab Builder on Google Play supports Luiseño learning, while Kehkimin Vocab Builder on Google Play supports Wolastoqey learning. Each is a separate app for its own language community.
Our Contributions
Gamification of Learning Mechanics

Gamification of Learning Mechanics

Built 9 distinct mini-games, each targeting specific cognitive retention skills - from audio-matching for listening comprehension to drag-and-drop for orthography.

Learning Through Sound and Picture

Learning Through Sound and Picture

Each word is presented with a picture, audio and its written form, so learners practise listening, recognition and spelling together.

Published on iOS and Android

Published on iOS and Android

Shipped the games to the App Store and Google Play, where they are used across 14 published language apps.

The Results

Separate Apps for Different Languages

Rincon Luiseño Vocab Builder and Kehkimin Vocab Builder show the games serving different language communities through separately published apps.

Used Across 14 Language Apps

The games are used across 14 published language apps, including Stoney Vocab Builder, each published separately for its own language community.

Available on Mobile

Learners can download the apps from the App Store and Google Play and practise their language wherever they are.

What the Client Said

“David is very patient and has great communication. He is an appropriately skilled freelance Unity developer who understood our project goals from the beginning and worked with us diligently throughout our slow-burn design process. I am pleased that we chose David to develop version 2.0 of our Vocab Builder. Thanks David!”

Logan

Lead Producer, The Language Conservancy

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