- Handwriting.
In exercises where the student is required to write an answer, one currently has two options (most of the time). You can either select from the letters or words which Memrise provides on the screen, or you can click the keyboard icon at the top of the screen to bring up your device’s own keyboard. On my device I use Google’s “Gboard” app because this app provides not only a QWERTY keyboard but also show a blank screen on which one can handwrite. Gboard’s excellent artificial intelligence rapidly and accurately transcribes my cursive script into typed letters. So it is much easier, much more efficient, and better for my learning to write in the target language (Italian) if I answer Memrise questions by handwriting the answers, rather than by laboriously tapping them out.
THE PROBLEM is that occasionally Memrise fails to provide the keyboard icon at the top of the screen! When that happens I am hugely slowed down because I have to peck at the keys provided.
SO please ensure that the keyboard icon is displayed at the top of EVERY relevant exercise, not just most exercises.
- Confirmations.
I have only recently begun using Memrise but I have noticed that after some exercises have been completed by my having given the correct answer, Memrise does not always provide me with a visual (written) confirmation of the required answer. For example, in listening exercises one may have to listen for, and then select, a word or phrase in the target language. You may select the correct audio and get the exercise correct, but you are then taken (without choice) to the next exercise.
THE PROBLEM is that the student is not always presented with a visual (written) confirmation. In other words, the student is not always shown the written form of the audio clip which they have correctly selected. An opportunity is therefore lost to remind or assure the student of the SPELLING of the required word or phrase.
SO, pleasure ensure that visual written confirmations in the target language are provided at the end of each exercise. Also, please give the student sufficient time to read all such confirmations. (I would prefer it if the student were to be able to control when the next exercise appears.)
Thank you. I am enjoying Memrise’s unique approach.