The Lexicon Validator is a custom-built React web application designed to optimize the development and iteration process of video scripts for educational content in the Squiggle Story App. This tool showcases my ability to manage and execute end-to-end product development, from ideation to deployment.
Key Features
Custom Lexicon Integration: The tool dynamically connects to the app’s Content Service via APIs, ensuring the scripts adhere to an up-to-date, single-source-of-truth lexicon.
Vocabulary Insights: The tool provides detailed lexical analysis, including word frequency, coverage, and alignment with target difficulty levels, supporting pedagogical goals like vocabulary retention and repetition.
Streamlined Workflow: By automating script validation, it reduces iteration time and ensures the educational content is both engaging and level-appropriate for young learners.
How It Works
User inputs text into the tool.
Text is sent to the Lemmatizer Service for processing.
The tool retrieves the lexicon data from the Squiggle Story Service.
Results are dynamically analyzed and presented visually.
Integration with the Squiggle Story Ecosystem
This validator integrates seamlessly into the larger Squiggle Story content pipeline, ensuring script creation, AI story generation, and final deployment stay aligned with a single source of truth. By automating checks against the latest lexicon, we maintain consistency and quality across all content in the app.
The Problem It Solves
Educational video scripts often require careful alignment with specific learning objectives, such as using age-appropriate vocabulary and ensuring repeated exposure to key words. Previously, this validation process was manual and time-consuming. I identified this gap and created a solution that simplifies and accelerates the workflow for myself and future team members.
My Contributions
As the sole designer, developer, and product manager for this project, I wore multiple hats to bring the Lexicon Validator to life. From gathering requirements and defining success metrics to architecting the tool in React and integrating it with backend services, this project demonstrates my ability to:
Lead cross-functional initiatives with technical and business expertise.
Leverage APIs to build scalable and maintainable solutions.
Think critically about user needs and align them with broader product goals.
Challenges
Maintaining a Single Source of Truth
Challenge: Originally, the Lexicon Validator had its own built-in vocabulary list, which quickly became outdated as the main content lexicon evolved.
Solution: Integrated the validator directly with the main Squiggle Story lexicon service via APIs, ensuring every validation check references the most up-to-date vocabulary and avoiding drift between multiple data sources.
Outcome: Guaranteed consistent, high-quality script validation without manual data syncing.
Providing Live, Real-Time Feedback
Challenge: I wanted editors to see script validation updates instantly—no refresh or button clicks required—so they could iterate faster.
Solution: Leveraged React’s state management and event-driven architecture to auto-update the analysis whenever the user inputs text changes.
Outcome: Eliminated extra clicks, sped up the editing process, and significantly improved user experience for script creators.
System Diagram
This system diagram illustrates the architecture of the Lexicon Validator, showcasing its integration with backend services for lexicon retrieval and lemmatization