Inspired by Minecraft and Loombands as self organised learning environments (SOLE), a gamification strategy was developed by Natalie Denmeade to encourage pre-literacy skills in young children. A first step in this framework is to use comic strips (aka graphic novels) to associate letters as codes for sounds.

A quick post about some lessons we have learnt and some unexpected benefits we came to realize. 

Phase two field tests are underway, this is an introduction to what we are doing.

Here are three stories from Tanzania showing the real passion and drive that spurs people forward. It is this passion and drive we are looking to empower and grow by providing them tools that they can use to more fully take their learning into their own hands from a young age.  

Today we finally made it all the way back to my children's family in Bagamoyo Tanzania. They were greeted by their Uncle, cousins and Grandmother (Bibi) with hugs and smiles all around.

It seems by backpack is a little heavier this time... 25 kg each excess weight these days. I am so excited to be taking my children home again. We have been practising some Swahili and thinking about how we can improve education for our family with technology.

A decade ago someone said to me: Karibu Tena - welcome again to Tanzania. So I am dusting off my backpack and I am getting ready to fly back to East Africa!