Online English Interactive Learning Portal for Teenagers
A web-based reincarnation of an interactive English language learning system that has worked successfully for 20 years as an offline method and Windows standalone application. A digital transformation was made for an English school that changed an application that stopped working in newer versions of Windows to a web application with a database in a cloud that is comfortable and easily accessible by all students.
Technical stack includes:
The problem
Our client is an English language school that was founded in the 90s with its own unique teaching system. Initially, the entire system was implemented for Windows on two CDs. In modern realities, this implementation was outdated, so it required updating to be easily usable.
The challenge
First, we had to keep all course content intact. Secondly, we had to implement visually the same sequence of the system algorithms. Third, we had to create a web application that can play a large amount of video content. The fourth task is to implement an adaptive application for different devices.
Our role
We analyzed how the old materials were implemented. Next, we developed new storage for all file content in the cloud and migrated data from old sources. Then we implemented user integration with the internal accounting systems used in the school. In the end, we created an application that wrapped all the other functions for easy use.
The team
Our team consisted of 6 people: a project manager and requirement analyst in one person, a backend developer and a database architect in one person, a web front-end developer, a UI / UX designer, DevOps, and QA. The team was assembled 3 weeks after the client's request and the full implementation of the project took 4 months.
Digital transformation
We have completely copied the language learning methodology that was developed by the school, while completely changing the front end - now it has become a web application written in ReactJS and therefore is available in all browsers, tablets, and mobiles.
Migrating database to the cloud
Since the task was to make online access for all school students, we decided to transfer all the data to the cloud. We chose AWS because it is our most preferred platform. The SQL server was raised on it. The data architecture was changed to a more modern and optimal one.
Developing UI/UX
The new front-end UI/UX design was developed to be recognizable by Millennials and generation Z. At the same time we didn't change exercises and practice routes which was a requirement.
Migrating exercises
We developed a unique script based on object recognition to parse exercise objects from the older UI into the new HTML/CSS layout. There was no other way how we could quickly migrate thousands of exercises from old application avoiding too much labor and keeping their layout precisely the same.
Video streaming & Vimeo API
We had to stream hundreds of videos with exercises during lessons. The best solution to stream those videos was to upload them on Vimeo and embed a player into our web application. This saved a lot of time and cut the development budget.
Integration with ERP
The database of students was integrated with an internal ERP system, so there was no need to create an account for a student or administrator manually. Every student got an account automatically. The access to different lessons in the web application depends on the payment done by a student and stored in the ERP.
Customer feedback
"In the 90s, our school developed a unique technology for teaching English with an extensive collection of exercises on all English language topics, a lot of different content. According to this system, tens of thousands of teenagers have been studying for 30 years. A program was developed for Windows, which was distributed to the CD. Today it is no longer convenient and does not work. It was necessary to transfer everything to the web and the cloud.
Ardas company took on this, while many simply refused. I was delighted with the price. I think that the price for such an exotic service was very regular.
They completely preserved all the materials, exactly copied the entire language learning system precisely as we developed it, down to each letter's color. It was vital for us because it is our know-how and works exactly as it is.
Experts from Ardas completely redesigned the entire system from scratch using cloud storage, a Vimeo system for storing and streaming video - this turned out to be very convenient for our purposes.
The user database was integrated with our internal ERP system, which saved us from manual work on its maintenance. It was their idea to automate the processes, and they saved our staff from wasting time.
The team showed the highest level of decency. None of our know-how and developments were lost, no information leakage. The contract protected me in every way, and they complied with all the points."
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