Prapla – short for Praatje-Plaatje – is a speech-controlled learning application for young children. With Prapla, a child learns new Dutch words and phrases, and practices proper Dutch pronunciation using a combination of speech technology and images.
Lack of language skills is one of the causes of inequality in Dutch society. Many Amsterdam preschoolers start their school career with insufficient language skills. Building a basic vocabulary takes time, especially if a child does not speak Dutch at home. In practice, many Amsterdam preschoolers from non-Dutch backgrounds start their school career with insufficient language skills they never catch up.
| Children can practice with 3000 words in different categories. | The mobile app shows the child a picture and says the word out loud. | The child repeats the word by pressing the button and speaking out loud. | If the child gives the right answer, and pronounces the word correctly, the app continues with a new word. | If the answer is incorrect, the app will repeat the word and practice the pronunciation with the child. |
 |  |  |  |  |
Prapla supports NT2 learning activities
Prapla supports existing learning activities by letting children practice on their own, greatly improves the child’s vocabulary.
Prapla does not replace language teaching programmes. It is a learning tool to support existing learning activities by giving children the opportunity to practice at home.
The web-app works on any mobile phone, tablet or desktop. Prapla keeps track of the pupils’ correct and incorrect answers, and gives teachers and instructors suggestions for tailor-made exercises based on the results. For teachers, Prapla has a simple built-in content management system (CMS) to quickly and easily create individual exercises and share them with individual children.
AI-supported tools that are innovative, fair and unbiased
Prapla uses voice technology, natural language processing and machine learning: new, rapidly developing technologies within Artificial Intelligence. The initial goal of this project was to to explore new ways to design and build AI-supported tools that are fair, and safe to use for young children.
How Prapla came to be
Prapla is under development at the the Responsible IT research, that researches innovative, fair and unbiased applications of voice technology for disadvantaged groups.
Proof of Concept and prototypes, as design research at HvA/ Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Between 2018 and 2023, different groups of researchers, NT2 teachers and HvA DMCI students helped with my design research. In multiple design assignments, students created iterations of a functioning prototype to research the value proposition, possible technical solutions and the user experience with stakeholders.
For a demo, contact: y.westplat@hva.nl