Teddy bear for teaching languages to kids

1. Interactive toy for teaching languages to children :-
In my country number of languages exist. In government schools English
starts at latter stage. Children even after completing k-12 is not able to construct
a simple sentence. This language barrier places them at disadvantage. I would
like to design a toy with small VGA screen for them to learn languages.
Languages should be taught to them as we learn our mother tongue using
dynamic immersion technique. This toy will be programmed to interact with the
kid in the language which he wishes to learn. Graphics will be displayed on the
screen. This toy should be reprogrammable to teach different languages
according to the need.

2. Language Teaching Teddy

3. Features
 A small and low cost computer inside the
Teddy.
Example of low cost computers :-
Option 1: Raspberry Pi Option 2: Arduino Uno

4. Features
 Low cost screen to view Graphics.
Option 1: VGA Option 2: LCD
 USB to connect the teddy to the computer.
 Easy to re-program to teach different languages.
(or)
Comes with some Pre-loaded languages to learn.
 Runs ‘Rosetta Stone’ Software which teach languages using
dynamic immersion technique.

5. Features
 Micro phone, Web cam and speaker facility
available.
 Consists of Wi-fi to share progress with others.
 Should consists of digital tools, to weave a story
using the language learned and share it.

6. Cost
 Cost can kept minimum because:-
Raspberry Pi costs only 33 dollars.
Arduino Uno costs only 15 dollars.
 If coding can be done, cost of proprietary software can be
done away with.
 If mass produced cost of screen can be reduced to a bare
minimum.
 Very much possible to produce the product with less than
100 dollars.

7. Cost
 Cost can kept minimum because:-
Raspberry Pi costs only 33 dollars.
Arduino Uno costs only 15 dollars.
 If coding can be done, cost of proprietary software can be
done away with.
 If mass produced cost of screen can be reduced to a bare
minimum.
 Very much possible to produce the product with less than
100 dollars.

8. Interactive books
Present day books are not interactive. I would like to design
books so that children can interact with it. If they like to hear
audio, it should be possible. If children want to see video of the
content, it should be possible. If this kind of book is created
reading will become fun. Also this technology will also be helpful
for gifted children.

9. Teddy with interactive books

10. Features
http://blog.ted.com/2011/04/28/a-next-
generation-digital-book-mike-matas-on-ted-com/
 Software for interactive books already developed.
 LCD Screen of teddy to be made interactive.
 As USB Storage of Raspberry pi to be increased to
store reasonable quantity of books.

11. Features
 Old books replaced by new ones using USB port.
 wii-fi to interact with other devices.
 This will make learning fun.
 If comes with a ‘Book reader’ software, it will be
of great advantage to Visually impaired children.

12. FEED BACK BY ARAVIND MARI TOMMY, ANAND
AND BADRI
“ A great idea to teach languages.”
- Tommy
“ This can be done on a computer using ‘Rosetta stone’ software. Why you need a teddy and 100 extra dollars for it ?”
- Anand
“ A computer is not accessible for everyone in Third world countries. With Private public (government) collaboration
this can be made available for poor people at very low cost. If this people can learn English using this teddy, it can
make all the difference in their lives.”
- Badri
“ Government is already planning to provide ‘Aakash’ low cost tablet to every one. Why burden it again with another
teddy? ‘Rosseta stone’ is a proprietary software. Why will they provide it for you at low cost? If you want to code, it
will take years for you to do it. Already free apps are available for learning languages. No need for teddy buddy.”
- Anand
“ If brought in bulk, cost of software can be reduced. Otherwise willing people can code for us. If people can code
something like Linux, this can be achieved by collaboration. Free apps are not refined. Rosetta uses dynamic
immersion technique”
- Tommy

13. What could be improved
 Open source software with ‘rosetta stone’ like
capability
 USB storage device of Raspberry pi.
 Easy way to produce interactive books for kids

14. Questions
 Why need a teddy, if computer is available.
 Who will provide low cost software?
 Who will provide free interactive books?
 Is the hardware of Raspberry pi capable of using the “rosetta
stone’’ software?
 Integration of screen, raspberry pi, software and interface?

15. Ideas
• Make the hardware accessible, so that it can used
for different purposes.
• Using of tablet with educational apps instead of
Raspberry pi.
• Fitting of webcam to the teddy, to take snapshots
of whiteboard in classroom.
• Recording lectures using microphone in the
teddy.
• Discard this item if not successful and move to
others items in the ideate list.