Worldreader.org, a non-profit whose motto is “Books for all“, recently completed a pilot project bringing Kindle e-readers to students in Ayenyah, Ghana.
Our working hypotheses are that:
1. E-readers will increase access to books due to lower distribution costs and immediate visibility of millions of books available online.
2. This will result in a larger number and greater variety of books read, and increased excitement and exchange of ideas around these books.
3. The result will be a higher value placed on reading within the classroom, family, and community.
4. The results will be specific and measurable, and will, in the long term, increase literacy and opportunity for those involved.The key objectives of the trials are:
* To identify motivations of children, teaching professionals, and school districts
* To understand the logistics involved, and potential blockers to the successful adoption of the technology
* To help Worldreader.org make informed decisions on strategy, and set realistic goals, expectations, and metrics
* To capture stories and assets to better understand the experience
The full report on the project, focusing on logistics, power, support, and user experience, offers interesting insights into the challenges of implementing technology in complex environments. The organizations blog includes personal stories of the project, for example, an explanation of the issues around keeping the batteries charged.
Below is a video of Worldreader.org’s co-founder Colin McElwee presenting on the project at TEDx Barcelona.
(See more at ReadWriteWeb)
