PLoS ONE (Jan 2016)

Optimizing the Learning Order of Chinese Characters Using a Novel Topological Sort Algorithm.

  • James C Loach,
  • Jinzhao Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0163623
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 10
p. e0163623

Abstract

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We present a novel algorithm for optimizing the order in which Chinese characters are learned, one that incorporates the benefits of learning them in order of usage frequency and in order of their hierarchal structural relationships. We show that our work outperforms previously published orders and algorithms. Our algorithm is applicable to any scheduling task where nodes have intrinsic differences in importance and must be visited in topological order.