Talking TEDThe teddy bear that helps children in third world

countries improve their literacy!!

The Problem

After much research we have seen that literacy is a major problem in the third world countries.

In order to improve and succeed individual’s life standards and understanding, one needs the ability to read and write.

People in third world countries are denied the opportunity to acquire literacy skills.

“Sub-Saharan Africa, young adults with five years of education have a 40% probability of being illiterate. About 759 million adults lack literacy skills today. Two-thirds are women.”

“The literacy and numeracy skills imparted by primary education are inadequate for a changing labour market.” P.169

“40 out of every 100 Africans are still unable to read and write, against 25 of every 100 in developing countries. The African situation is compounded by the fact that actual literacy rates in at least eight countries in West Africa are far lower than the average rates for the continent”

Research

“Teddy bears provide comfort and a sense of security.”

“Teddy bears are their constant companions whom they must carry around everywhere they go.”

“Teddy bears are very popular even with grown up girls.” (Ref: 1)

Why we chose Talking TED

A teddy bear with a screen in the stomach which will aid children in improving their skills.

Talking TED will have a USB input hidden on

the bottom of the screen in order for the teachers to upload new information through a computer so learning can continue at home.

The solution

There will be four programs:

Alphabet Repetition Pronunciation Spelling Games Read Along Stories

Programs Included

Levels will vary from beginner to advanced, depending on their literacy levels.

A speaker will be located at the top of the monitor and will play the words that appear on the screen. The children will then repeat these words.

Programs

Adobe Illustrator CS 5

Adobe Photoshop CS 5

Adobe Flash Professional CS 5

Programs used

The programs will be made using the applications mentioned.

It will then be transferred onto a disk in order to upload onto the school computer.

A USB cable can be connected to Talking TED for updates.

How it will work ….

Ideas…

Our Result

Size 30cm Ability to buy in Bulk Material: soft short

plush stuffed Supplier: Yangzhou

Caisheng Handicraft Product Co., Ltd.

Each bear is priced at $o.6o (€0.44) 200 bears at € 88.00 €14.99 is the price of this Vtech

If the product were to be made, we would hope to get sponsorship from different companies such as Flash and Dell to help get sufficient funds in order to make the monitor.

Feasibility

Prototype

1. Article Snatch. (2009). Teddy Bears – A Childs Favourite Toy. Retrieved from http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Teddy-Bears--A-Childs-Favourite-Toy/1350259

2. Dexigner. (2010). Design challenge: Designing for education. Retrieved from http://jump.dexigner.com/news/20948

3. Ocampo, J.A. (2010). Economic report on Africa 2010 [Pg.168]. (Promoting High-level Sustainable Growth to Reduce Unemployment in Africa), Retrieved from http://books.google.ie/books?id=z0h6r4FdQu0C&dq=literacy+in+third+world+countries+2010&source=gbs_navlinks_s

4. OMOLEWA, M. (2008). Adult literacy in Africa: the push and pull factor. International Review of Education, 54. Retrieved from http://www.springerlink.com/content/1k3170125611t182.

References

Any Questions?

Thank You