Game-based Arabic Lessons Brought to Syrian Refugees in Jordan by Libraries Without Borders and eduTechnoz

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DOHA, Qatar, June 20, 2016 / PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

   The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), the leading global

initiative driving innovation and collaboration in education, has recently

facilitated collaboration between Libraries Without Borders and eduTechnoz -

two organisations supported by the WISE Accelerator, which is aimed at

education start-ups and projects scaling up their services - which resulted in

a collaboration that helps Syrian children in Jordan benefit from Arabic

lessons.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160617/380724 )

   Libraries Without Borders developed the Ideas Box, a portable multi-media

toolkit facilitating and strengthening access to non-formal education for

vulnerable communities such as refugees. eduTechnoz offers game-based

educational online resources for children to learn Arabic. The two

organisations joined forces to provide technologically innovative materials for

Syrian children in Jordan to learn Arabic and gain literacy skills.

   Two Ideas Boxes with eduTechnoz resources have been deployed in Jordan: one

in Azraq refugee camp and one in a community center in Hashmi Shimali, Amman.

Since the end of March 2016, children aged 6-10 can access eduTechnoz

educational content, monitor progress and collect badges through the Ideas Box.

   Long-term emergencies, such as the Syrian civil war, put the education of

entire generations in danger, diminishing human capital that is crucial to

rebuilding a war-torn country. In addition, children who experience violence

and uncertainty at a young age must be given the means to obtain a sense of

normality and happiness in their lives. For these reasons, innovative,

game-based education caters to both the educational and emotional needs of

refugee children.

   eduTechnoz and Libraries Without Borders decided to work together after

their representatives met within the framework of the WISE Accelerator, a

program offering opportunities for innovative education projects to scale-up

and extend their services and in which both organisations participated.

   Giving children, especially those living in refugee camps or war zones, an

opportunity to learn Arabic has been a priority for eduTechnoz, but the

organisation has faced challenges in providing proper tablets and reliable

Internet connection. Partnering with Libraries Without Borders was a unique

chance to bring children tangible education opportunities and to better serve

disadvantaged and vulnerable children in Jordanian refugee camps and eventually

elsewhere in the region. This partnership allowed combining innovative Arab

learning pedagogy of eduTechnoz with access to the latest technologies

available on the education market provided by Ideas Box.

   The WISE Accelerator facilitated this networking opportunity that resulted

in a project generating a meaningful impact for the most vulnerable children in

need of help in the refugee camps.

   "This partnership would not be possible if it was not for the Accelerator

program organized by WISE. Thanks to such an opportunity, eduTechnoz and

Libraries Without borders found a way to combine their expertise and learn from

each other through building a collaboration that will support Syrian refugee

children's educational experience," said Ms Diana Al-Dajani, the founder and

CEO of eduTechnoz.

   "Quality contents are key if the Ideas Box is to reach its goal: improve

access to education for vulnerable people. The partnership between Libraries

Without Borders and eduTechnoz means more relevance and efficiency in

supporting Syrian refugee children," said Mr Jeremy Lachal, Libraries Without

Borders general director.

   For further information about:

   WISE, visit: http://www.wise-qatar.org

   WISE Accelerator, visit: http://www.wise-qatar.org/wise-accelerator

   eduTechnoz, visit: http://www.edutechnoz.com

   Ideas Box, visit: http://www.ideas-box.org

   SOURCE: WISE