Ama kids presantation uni.tirana
- 1. AMAKiDS A window to knowledge
- 2. Who are we? AMAKiDS A window to knowledge Amakids (Amazing Kids) is a non-for profit organization that aims to develop an innovative way of teaching to visually impaired children Amakids mission is to introduce a new way of learning in order to improve the visually impaired children's wellbeing by improving their intellectual skills, interpersonal and physical conditions, as well as encouraging active learning rather than simple memorization. The objective of Amakids is to motivate the desire to acquire knowledge of the kids with partial or complete sight loss, by changing radically the actual way of learning. The knowledge acquisition will be based on the entertaining features of ad hoc designed 3D sound games. In a few words: Learning by Playing Through Amakids games, the knowledge formation will not be boring anymore, but a truly happy and entertaining activity through curiosity in exploring the next level or the next module EN IT
- 3. Background evidence? AMAKiDS Globally, the number of people of all ages living with sight loss is estimated to be 285 million, of whom 39 million are blind About 90% of the world's visually impaired live in developing countries An estimated 19 million children worldwide have sight loss 1.4 million children worldwide are irreversibly blind for the rest of their lives There are over 570 schools worldwide which aim to help children with this inability. Every 5 seconds one person in the world goes blind. EN IT A window to knowledge
- 4. Background evidence? AMAKiDS In Albania there is only one National Institute created in 1963 that covers almost the whole country needs for the categories of students . The services are currently provided by the central government or offered by international and local NGOs. But even these services are concentrated mainly in Tirana and other cities with better infrastructure. Thats why the develop of this 3d game will reach families and children that are located in more distanced areas and may also be something fun and educational at the same time, thus making possible the inclusion and treatment of these children in the same way as everyone else. EN IT A window to knowledge
- 5. What do we want to do? AMAKiDS We will develop an educational 3D sound game that through different modules will help children of age 5-17, to learn the main school courses throughout an entertaining manner. Amakids will develop different courses modules and levels for a complete learning of: English Math Geography History Science, etc! Through Amakids games, the knowledge formation will not be boring anymore, but a truly happy and entreating activity through curiosity in exploring the next level or the next module EN IT A window to knowledge
- 6. How does it work? AMAKiDS The games will have two orientation functionalities: o On one side the children will be directed through the 3D sound system to interact with the game o On the other side, the 3D graphics throughout the animated cartoons will support the children assistants (parents or teachers) In practice, the kid will be oriented throughout the animated cartoon sound commands and the kid will interact/ take decisions throughout the mouse, direction keyboard commands and space button EN IT A window to knowledge
- 7. Why is it educational? AMAKiDS All the game modules (English, Math, History, etc) and levels (First, Second, Third, etc) will be designed and organized according to the authorized teaching program and in collaboration with: Institute of visual impairment children Ramazan Kabashi, Tirane Ministry of Education Specific teachers Psychologists Experts in teaching visually impaired children Teachers & Parents will be involved in the learning process through: Teacher Forums and Newsletters Games/pintables; geared to subjects & grade level Family activities Newsletter Tips EN IT A window to knowledge
- 8. Social impact? AMAKiDS Introduction of a different way to acquire knowledge Knowledge through gaming Direct improvement of blind children well-being A new way of learning through gaming Non-discrimination of children since the game can be played by everyone. Assists child's orientation in space. We have found that games prove to enhance the intellectual, Interpersonal, physical abilities of children but most of all, It encourages active learning, rather than simple memorization. EN IT A window to knowledge
- 9. Technical Aspects? AMAKiDS Operations - The game will offer a limited number of choices (2-5 alternatives) that the children is supposed to undertake in order to assure the speed and performance of the game Operating systems - The operating systems that the game could be installed/played for the fist versions will be Windows/ Linux/OS X/Android/IOS/Html5/Blackberry 10 Sound orientation functionality - The game will implement a 3D stereo sound system. The sound orientation will be based on the hearing senses, in left and right directions. For example, when the sound will come from the left ear it means that the animated cartoon is moving on the left and the same applies for the right ear. EN IT A window to knowledge
- 10. Project phases? AMAKiDS A window to knowledge Phase 1 Functionality Analysis and workflow engine creation Kick-off & Development of the game engine along with the sound enhanced functionalities Kick-off & Development of the first module English language Test & versioning of the game (Interface and User experience) Phase 2 Launch of the Alpha & Beta versions of the first module - English Launch of the Alpha & Beta (improved versions) Kick-off of the IOs & Android programming Finalizing the first module English (I/II/III/IV levels) Phase 3 - Launch of the final version on PC & kick-off of the second module Math Kick-off of the second module - Mathematics Launch of final version on PC Launch of the Alpha & Beta IOs & Android versions Test & versioning of the second module Mathematics (I/II/III/IV levels) Phase 4 - Launch of the final versions for IOs and Android, and of the second module Math Launch of the final version of IOs & Android Launch of the final version of the second module Mathematics Analyse the integration and kick-off of future modules Geography , History, Science, etc! EN IT
- 11. Work-plan timeline? AMAKiDS Tasks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Phase 1 Analysis & Engine Game engine & sound functions Dev. of the 1module English Test & versioning of the game Phase 2 First Module English Launch of the Alpha & Beta Kick-off of the IOs & Android Finalizing the 1 module English Phase 3 Second Module Math Kick-off of the 2module Math Launch of the Alpha & Beta IOs Launch of final version on PC Test & versioning of Math Phase 4 Final Versions Launch of the final version of IOs Launch of the 2 module Math Month 3 Month 6 Month 9 A window to knowledge
- 12. AMAKiDS Phase 1 Functionality Analysis and workflow engine creation Phase 5 kick-off of future modules Geography , History, Science, etc! Phase 4 Launch of the final versions for IOs and Android, and of the second module Math Phase 2 Launch of the Alpha & Beta versions of the first module - English Phase 3 Launch of the final version on PC & kick-off of the 2 module Math September 14 January 15 Milestones? March 15 July 15 Sept 15 A window to knowledge
- 13. Future AMAKiDS A window to knowledge developments? EN Balkan development Launch the game for the other countries in Balkan countries Albanian development Launch the game for the children with no sight problems in Albania Game enhancements Voice control features, empowerment of the game modules through IT artificial intelligence technology Operating Systems Enhance the actual operating systems and provide for new ones
- 14. Team? EN AMAKiDS A window to knowledge ANISA KADAREJA Project manager Relevant experiences: Master in Management of Social Enterprises, Non Profit and Cooperatives, SDA Bocconi School of Management - University "L. Bocconi "of Milan Creation Implementation of the Business Plan for the redevelopment of the former industrial area Caerano San Marco, in the province of Treviso Project manager on behalf of the Lombardy Region for projects which aimed the development of IT corporate & territorial welfare . ENGJELL RRAKLLI Relevant experiences: 5 years of game development experience developing 2D and 3D games of various genres. Bachelor degree in computer sciences and he is also a last year post graduate student in computer science, faculty of natural sciences, University of Tirana. Deals with the general management of the development team and selecting the technologies applied. finding the most efficient development approach.
- 15. Team? EN IT AMAKiDS A window to knowledge ALTIN KADAREJA Relevant experiences: Consultant at Prometia , Milan, Italy Risk Management at Intesa San Paolo , Milan, Italy Master of science in Innovation and technology at Bocconi University, Milan He is the financial manager of the project ALDO BTURKU Relevant experiences: 2 years of modelling and animation experience. Bachelor degree in computer sciences and he is actually completing the last year post graduate studies in Information Technology, faculty of natural sciences, University of Tirana. He is the main game designer and animator