Sema uses gaming to allow children to teach themselves how to read, write and do basic numeracy.
Project Name
Sema
Location Implemented
Global
Technology Used
Software/Apps
Competition Entered
EduApp4Syria Prize
Reading Skill Targeted
Pre-Reading
Status
Finalist
Amount Award
$350,000 (innovative tender)
The Challenge
Years of conflict in Syria has uprooted millions of people, hampering children’s access to education. More than 3.5 million refugee children were unable to attend a single day of school in 2016, and those who did attend often faced learning difficulties due to long-term stress as well as the use of educational materials in languages they don’t use or understand. A lack of basic literacy and numeracy skills among young people significantly decreases their educational progress and economic opportunities.
The Big Idea
Sema is built on three key pillars: exciting game dynamics that drive high levels of retention, a strong pedagogy and Syrian curricula—adapted into the game by Syrian literacy experts and cognitive psychologists—allows children to follow a structured educational path, and a game narrative based on Syrian culture and written by a Syrian storyteller.
Featured Innovation
Sema
Learn letter sounds and how to write letters through fun game-based apps.
