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LMS Integration · Accessibility · NameDrop.io · United States

Name pronunciation, recorded once and heard everywhere in the LMS

Say every name right

About the Client

NameDrop.io is a cloud-based platform that allows people to record the correct pronunciation of their names and share it through a simple link.

IndustryNameDrop.io operates in the Technology industry, specifically within Software as a Service (SaaS).

Team SizeA small startup team of approximately 6–8 professionals with diverse technical and business backgrounds (2 Software Engineers, 1 Mobile/Application Developer, 1 Product Manager, 1 UI/UX Designer, 1 Marketing & Growth Specialist, 1 Operations/Business Development Manager).

Project Duration4 months

12+months of active development & support

4+significant iterations delivered over time

6-8engineers involved across delivery phases

Application Overview

NameDrop.io.

NameDrop.io is a cloud service that lets people record their name and share it. We integrated it into the learning management system so learners and instructors can hear the correct pronunciation of any name.

Company Overview

NameDrop.io is a cloud-based digital platform designed to help individuals share the correct pronunciation of their names. The platform allows users to record their name pronunciation and generate a unique link that can be easily shared across email signatures, social media profiles, personal websites, and professional platforms.

Founded as a technology startup, NameDrop.io focuses on improving communication and inclusivity in professional and global environments where name mispronunciation is common. By enabling people to hear the correct pronunciation directly from the individual, the platform helps create better first impressions and more respectful interactions.

Outcomes at a Glance

3 placesin LMS navigation

Self-servename recording

Instantplayback for staff

WCAGaccessibility win

Project Objectives

To provide a simple platform for users to record and share the correct pronunciation of their names.
To reduce name mispronunciation in professional, educational, and social interactions.
To improve digital communication by allowing people to hear names directly from the individual.
To promote inclusivity and cultural respect in global environments.

The Problem

The main problems faced by NameDrop.io

Low User Awareness

Many users do not know about the platform or the importance of recording name pronunciation.

Limited Platform Integration

Difficulty integrating the tool with existing systems such as LMS, websites, or enterprise platforms.

User Engagement Issues

Some users record their names once and rarely use the platform again.

Technical Challenges

Issues related to audio recording, storage, and playback across different devices and browsers.

Data Management

Managing and storing large amounts of audio data securely can be difficult.

Scalability Issues

Expanding the platform to support a large number of users can require additional infrastructure.

The Brief

The challenge & our solution.

The challenge

Names are mispronounced constantly in the first days of a course — there was no in-LMS way for a learner to record how their name should sound, and no way for an instructor or admin to hear it before they spoke it.

The solution

We built the NameDrop.io integration directly into the LMS. It surfaces in user, account and course navigation; learners and instructors record their own pronunciation; and admins and instructors get a directory view to hear any enrolled learner’s name, correctly.

Our Solution

ZionStar developed a scalable, end-to-end LMS platform that includes:

Platform Integration

The ZionStar LMS portal integrates the NameDrop feature directly into the learning system, making it easily accessible to all users.

Increased User Awareness

By placing the pronunciation feature inside the LMS profile, students and instructors become more aware of the importance of correct name pronunciation.

Improved User Engagement

Since users frequently log in to the LMS for learning activities, they are more likely to record and listen to name pronunciations.

Centralized Data Management

The LMS portal stores and manages user audio recordings in a structured and secure system.

Better Accessibility

Teachers and students can access and listen to name pronunciations anytime during courses, discussions, or meetings.

Continuous System Updates

The LMS portal allows easy maintenance and updates to improve performance and add new features.

How It Works

How we delivered it.

LMS integration

Embedded NameDrop across user, account and course navigation via the LTI standard.

Self-recording

Built a record-your-name flow with phonetic spelling and pronouns for learners and instructors.

Admin directory

Gave admins and instructors a roster view to hear every learner’s recorded pronunciation.

Adoption & insights

Surfaced account-wide settings and coverage metrics so institutions can drive adoption.

Technology Stack

The technology stack used to design and develop the solution.

NameDrop.ioLTI 1.3Canvas LMSRuby on RailsWeb Audio APIFrontendBackendDatabaseCloud InfrastructureAPI ArchitectureAudio Processing

Inside the Build

The complete walkthrough.

4 screens walk through the build end to end — pick a step, use the arrows, or play the tour.

01NameDrop.io profileA shareable public page that plays the correct pronunciation of a name, with phonetic spelling and pronouns.
02Record your nameLearners and instructors capture their own pronunciation in seconds, with optional phonetic spelling and pronouns.
03NameDrop in the LMSOnce integrated, NameDrop appears in user, account and course navigation across the LMS.
04Profile — common viewAnyone viewing a profile can play the recorded pronunciation alongside phonetic spelling and pronouns.

01 / 04

Play tour

Enlarge

NameDrop.io profile

A shareable public page that plays the correct pronunciation of a name, with phonetic spelling and pronouns.

The Result

Engineered for measurable impact.

Recorded once, a learner’s name is heard correctly everywhere in the LMS — in their profile, the course roster and the admin directory.

NameDrop.io · LMS IntegrationBuilt and delivered by ZionStar

3 placesin LMS navigation

Self-servename recording

Instantplayback for staff

WCAGaccessibility win

Conclusion

NameDrop.io is an innovative platform designed to help people correctly pronounce names through audio recordings. It improves communication, promotes inclusivity, and reduces the chances of mispronouncing names in educational and professional environments. By integrating NameDrop.io with an LMS portal, the accessibility and usage of the platform can be increased among students and instructors. This integration also enhances user engagement and ensures that name pronunciation becomes a natural part of online learning. Overall, NameDrop.io provides a simple yet effective solution for better communication and respectful interactions in digital platforms.

The final solution improved usability, performance, and overall functionality, helping the client achieve a more effective digital platform.

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