Canvas Idea

To create a VR application for learning the Tofalar language, intended for use by teachers in the Irkutsk region to preserve the cultural and linguistic heritage of a small indigenous group.

Canvas Challenge

The Tofalar language is on the verge of extinction. Classic teaching methods like textbooks and flashcards fail to engage modern students. The primary challenge was to save a dying language from being forgotten by creating a tool that transforms learning into an exciting discovery, not a boring chore.

Stroke Solution

The key decision—the "one precise stroke"—was to build a complete educational ecosystem with two interconnected parts. First, a "Living Dictionary" in VR, where students immerse themselves in an interactive world and learn by pointing at objects to hear and see their names. Second, a "Command Bridge" for teachers—a web portal that turns the VR experience into a manageable educational process, allowing them to launch lessons and track student progress.

Value Metrics

• For Students: The learning process was transformed from a chore into an engaging VR game, fostering a positive emotional connection to their ancestral language.
• For Teachers: Educators received a modern and convenient tool to manage lessons, automatically track performance, and integrate VR into their curriculum.
• For Cultural Heritage: The project became a "digital ark" for the Tofalar culture, making it accessible and interesting for the new generation on whom its future depends.

Tech Stack

• 3D Engine: Unity 2020.x with C# scripting
• VR SDK: Oculus Integration SDK for Unity
• Hardware: Oculus Quest (1st generation) standalone VR headset
• Backend: Node.js with Express.js for the teacher's management API
• Frontend (Admin Panel): React.js for the interactive teacher dashboard
• Database: PostgreSQL for storing lesson plans and student progress

“All my life, I tried to bring the words of our elders to life with dictionaries and yellowed printouts. But holding the children's attention was nearly impossible. Now, I see their eyes light up in VR headsets as they excitedly 'touch' objects and repeat their names. This is more than a lesson. It's our chance to bring the language back home, into living speech.”— Saizana Adamovna Anayban, native language teacher, Alygdzher village