SEMA/SIMA
USABILITY/STATUS: Evolved
INNOVATOR: Kukua
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Africa
SOLUTION TYPE: Learning Game
Summary
SEMA was originally a mobile game that allowed children ages 5 to 10 living in Sub-Saharan Africa to teach themselves how to read, write, and do basic arithmetic while playing. The developer, Kukua, adapted and built a Syrian version of SEMA, SIMA, to become a mobile literacy and psychosocial well-being resource for children affected by the Syrian conflict. SEMA has evolved into the Sema Run App and the SuperSema television series, which features a young African hero who knows that with determination, imagination, and a helping hand from science and technology anything is possible! SEMA/SIMA was developed to empower children to become makers, creators, and innovators with boundless, curiosity-inspired creativity, and science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) skills.
Usability/Features
Operating system: Android, iOS
Hardware: Computer, tablet, smartphone
Connectivity: Offline after download
Setting/Context
Settings: Schools, community centers, refugee camps, homes
Target Populations: Primary-age children, parents
Current Language(s): English, Arabic
Geography (locations): Africa
Use Case
The current app version, Sema Run, takes children on a magical adventure while empowering them to learn how to read as Sema gains technological powers and navigates through obstacles. Early impact tests on the application show that children using Sema Run for 6+ weeks master up to ten more new letter sounds. The app embeds the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA), after every three levels. Sema Run is free and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and Apple Store.
Related Training Materials, Toolkits, and Resources
Blogs and Reviews
Training
- Super Sema YouTube channel