Arabic reading assistant

Dissertant

Ajumi, Idris

Thesis advisor

Sforza, Violetta Cavalli

Comitee Members

Smith, Kevin
Shukayri, Abd Allah
Ata Allah, Fadwa

University

Al Akhawayn University

Faculty

School of Science and Engineering

University Country

Morocco

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2014

English Abstract

E-learning (or electronic learning) may be defined as learning that is delivered, enabled or mediated using electronic technology for the explicit purpose of training learning or development in organizations” [1].

It has been widely used all over the world, and a huge number of e-learning systems have been developed for most languages.

Concerning the Arabic language, it was just not interesting until recently, when worldwide media began to put the Arab world and Islam in their front pages, after the succession of events.

As a result to this interest, many Arabic e-learning systems have emerged, but very few of them have focused on reading, which is very important for formal Modern Standard Arabic.

The number of foreign exchange students visiting Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane has greatly increased in the past few years.

The main reason behind this increase is that Morocco is considered as one of the safest and most stable countries in the region, in contrast with the traditional destinations such as Egypt and Syria.

Furthermore, and besides the fact that Morocco is a beautiful country, the curiosity and will to discover the rich Moroccan culture and Arabic language plays an important role in attracting new foreign students.

From these facts comes the motivation to focus on an Arabic e-learning platform, dedicated to students visiting Al Akhawayn University.

This paper presents the project Arabic Reading Assistant that is being developed at Al Akhawayn University, under the supervision of Dr.

Violetta Cavalli Sforza, Dr.

Chekayri and Dr.

Kevin Smith.

This master project focuses on developing a set of tools and materials dedicated to assist both students and teachers in completing and managing programs.

We first designed the Database that is composed of more than 40 tables and 3800 different words developed and collected in a prior project.

Then, we implemented an algorithm that will be used to import Excel sheets and populate the designed MySQL Database.

In parallel, a set of tools and components, mainly a dictionary, a test creation module and curriculum modules were developed separately.

Finally, all subparts and tools were brought up into a single, running, desktop application.

In order to enable further development of the software and improve modifiability, we used, in addition to the Docks Based User Interface, the Model-View-Controller approach and a multi-project C# Solution.

As future work, the focus should be on integrating the remaining test modules and implement the mechanism that will automate the testing process.

Furthermore, database content and materials should be enriched by adding new words and audio/video materials.

Main Subjects

Educational Sciences
Information Technology and Computer Science
Arabic language and Literature

Topics

• Education
• Higher education
• Educational technology
• Learning
• Morocco
• Arabic language

No. of Pages

102

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-629599