Yuri Westplat (HvA): Prapla
Prapla is a speech-controlled learning application for young children. With Prapla, a child learns new Dutch words and phrases, and practices proper Dutch pronunciation using a combination of speech technology and images.
Lack of language skills is one of the causes of inequality in Dutch society. Building a basic vocabulary takes time, especially if a child does not speak Dutch at home. In practice, many Amsterdam preschoolers from non-Dutch backgrounds start their school career with insufficient language skills they never catch up. The obvious solution is to hire more teachers but this is not going to happen anytime soon.
Prapla supports existing learning activities by letting children practice on their own, greatly improves the child’s vocabulary. Prapla uses natural language processing and machine learning: new, rapidly developing technologies within Artificial Intelligence. Prapla is the result of three years of research to explore new ways to design and build AI-supported language tools that are safe, fair, unbiased and easy to use for everyone.
Felienne Hermans (VU): Hedy: A Gradual Programming Language for Children According to the World Economic Forum, soon 9 out of 10 jobs will require digital skills, yet today 44% of Europeans aged lack basic digital skills. In Europe, this skills gap will lead to almost 2 million unfilled vacancies for ICT professionals by 2025. To […]
Tom Broens (Amsterdam UMC): act-E: Unravel your curriculum We develop act-E, a unique online curriculum information system. It helps students, teachers and managers to unravel their education. Courses are no longer ‘islands’ but part of a bigger picture: the curriculum. A high-quality curriculum is designed to have a consistent allignment and build-up of learning goals, […]
Desi Bootsman (HvA): Mazehunter: playful learning for children with dyslexia Mazehunter is developing a digital-physical hybrid game for children diagnosed with dyslexia, that translates innovative dyslexia treatment to an attractive and addictive game environment. Research shows that the cooperation of the hemispheres together has a lot of influence on the processing of information. In people […]