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Why has a concept like eSpindle never been attempted?
Will one of the educational software giants step up and copy our concept?
Answer:
Unlikely.
It has not been done because it is not likely to be sustainable for a for-profit company.
Designing limited units of study is profitable, but a vast and on-going project like eSpindle is a tremendous and risky undertaking.
It is a project fit for the Internet Age and thrives on lots of visionary spirits coming together and pitching in to make it happen – not for a for-profit company focusing on its bottom line.
eSpindle is made possible through the support of a large network of volunteers and supporters.
At its core is a vast and growing database that currently encompasses about 100,000 words – that is most every word of the English language in its base form, including about 30,000 words that are considered “Spelling Bee words.”
Only with such a tremendous foundation is it possible to power a learning experience that is ongoing and can accommodate learners of varying and developing skill levels – that will accommodate most any word that you may request when uploading word lists for priority study.
Were we to offer eSpindle in CD format, our members would currently have to load 18 CDs of data into their computers to install the database supporting this project – and eSpindle’s resources are constantly growing and evolving.
Just the audio license by itself (which is provided to eSpindle by one of our sponsors) would make it impossible for a for-profit company to offer such a resource without making access prohibitively expensive.
Add to that the custom edits needed to make sure our brief definitions do not give away the word to be spelled; adding sample sentences; proofing the audio generated by Mike, the computer voice.
Who can count the hours needed to live record all entries Mike does not get right, editing, and proof-editing them – plus all the other ongoing expenses associated with running a large Web project?
A project of these dimensions can only be accomplished as a community attempt, and is fueled and sustained by our volunteers, supporters, and membership contributions.
It is only possible because people from all walks of life are joining this project – as volunteers, members, and contributors and are helping out in any form they can.
You’re making it all possible!
Thank you for helping us create our innovative, amazing, wonderful eSpindle!
It is a tremendous, exciting undertaking. With your support, the sky is the limit!
