Software solutions that allow authors to easily create and export texts in mother tongue languages (including sign languages)
Project Name
Bloom
Location Implemented
Global
Technology Used
Software/Apps
Competition Entered
Enabling Writers Prize
Reading Skill Targeted
Foundational, Pre-Reading, Reading
Status
Winner
Amount Award
$100,000
Collaborators/Partners
SIL LEAD, Inc.
The Challenge
A leading barrier to improving children’s reading skills is the lack of appropriate and engaging reading materials in local languages, which in turn leaves children unable to practice reading in a language they use and understand. A large body of evidence confirms that reading to young children in their local spoken or sign language builds a strong foundation for their education.
The Big Idea
Bloom software is the only open source book writing software than can be used offline and has the ability to guide the production of decodable text and levelled readers in any language--including sign languages. Books can be exported in book format in print (PDF) or digital (EPUB). The software also includes a "talking book" function that enables authors to record audio.
Results
Bloom software is available for free at https://bloomlibrary.org/landing
Featured Innovation
Bloom
Bloom software makes it easy to create children's books and translate them into multiple languages, or create accessible and sign language books.
Blogs and Media
Research and Resources
Bloom
Bloom software makes it easy to create children's books and translate them into multiple languages, or create accessible and sign language books.Bloom Library
A global collection of books created with Bloom software. Bloom makes it easy to create simple books and translate them into multiple languages.Bloom Training Resources
Training guides available in English, French and Spanish instruct on how to use Bloom and train others to use the software.
Local Stories Fast: 10 Steps to Helping Communities Create Early Reading Materials with Bloom
IREX guides on how to develop and host a community-based Bloom Camp to collect, write, and publish local stories and early reading materials using the Bloom software package.
Bloom 6-minute Overview
Learn more about the impetus and mission of Bloom software, winner of ACR GCD's Enabling Writers prize.
Becoming Mrs. Van Allen
Christie Vilsack, senior advisor for international education at USAID, takes the TEDxFoggyBottom stage to explain how we can all help make a difference to improve education around the world.
