Bridge Notes

Our two interns worked closely with Ghanaian primary schools last January to learn how Talking Books could complement existing school curricula. As expected, the children were crazy about the devices! It was quite common for an experienced group of students to join a new classroom to teach those students how to use the device. And none of us will forget Jalayla, who lived near our work site and spent hours playing with a Talking Book, until he had memorized every lesson on it.

We learned many things during these weeks. For instance, we underestimated the interest that students, teachers, and headmasters had in creating student recordings. We also learned how important it is to ensure teachers get plenty of time using the devices before introducing them in the classrooms.

See other literacy scenarios for the device.

Over the last year, we’ve collaborated with health professionals on this project. But it wasn’t until after we left the pilot area that we received reports of local health clinics using the Talking Books like magazines in a waiting room. People waiting to be seen outside rural health clinics are now passing around Talking Books to listen to a series of preventative health tips recorded by clinic nurses. It’s no surprise that the most innovative uses for the Talking Book will come from local people.

See other ways the Talking Book can spread knowledge.

Our Talking Book needs an audio menu to guide users to the different features. We designed what we thought was a pretty simple interface before testing it with users. Within a few days we realized we didn’t make it simple enough. After watching dozens of men, women, and children spend too long learning to use the device, we realized that we could remove a couple features and drastically simplify the menu.

We originally thought a “title audio track” would be helpful for finding the right recordings, but we found it complicated the processes for recording and browsing. We also learned that having the user confirm their recording after first playback did more harm than good.

Fortunately, the device can be easily reprogrammed by editing a text file. Using a laptop, a generator, a gallon of fuel, and a long night of work, we had all the devices reprogrammed by the next day. The immediate positive feedback was one of the most rewarding memories of our trip.

Here is what the village of Ving-Ving is saying about the device.

With a simple online vote, you could help Literacy Bridge get a significant increase in funding!

Paul Buchheit, the creator of Gmail, is trying an interesting experiment — charitable giving based on your votes and expressions of support (see http://mashable.com/2009/06/26/buchheit-charity/). One of our earliest donors has already nominated us (thanks, Rod!).

Please express your support for the Talking Book project by voting for our project. You’ll need to use a Google/Gmail account to vote. If you don’t have one, it’s as simple as using any email address and creating a password — it takes about 20 seconds (just click “Sign In” and then click on the “Get Started” button if you don’t already have account).

If you have two more minutes, share your thoughts about this project with others at http://friendfeed.com/collaborative-charity.

Click here to vote for more funding for the Talking Book project!