Outline of a game based appproach to strengthening basic literacy numeracy and science skills in primary schools in India with specific emphasis on underserved communities

1. Let’s Play!
Final Team Project
Designing New Learning Environments
Venture Labs, Stanford, Dec 12

2. Objectives
The project will focus on identifying the 100 most
critical learning outcomes desired for a primary school
child and develop a 100% game based (both physical
and digital equivalents) curriculum, content, pedagogy
and educational eco system to effectively deliver these
learning outcomes to the students.
Due to paucity of time & resources some of the objectives set are not fully
met in the attached report. However, we hope the direction presented
clearly illustrates the outline of a viable approach to meeting the desired
objectives. The project has been focused on India as a market.

3. Lets Play!
Making Learning more Effective, by making it more Fun!
India’s first curricular game based learning support provider!

4. Executive Summary
Stage Methodology Key Result
Segments Needs & resource availability 2 Segments : Core (Rural) &
analysis by user segments Supplementary (Urban)
Curriculum Simplify Innovative global Focus on basic literacy & numeracy
standards : P21, DeSeCo, US Illustrative outcomes by Grade/ Level
Common Core Standards identified. Further detailing required
Content & Screening of physical & web Simple Physical & Digital game
Assessment based toy & game resources solutions identified for outcomes
Assessment : Std. tests & game
performance
Pedagogy Evaluate factors affecting Classroom + Digital Lab : In school
accessibility, infrastructure & (Urban) and Mobile Van (Rural)
teacher availability Play Class : Play Teacher + Peer2Peer
Business Study of related business Hybrid : Rich ‘pay’ for Poor. Limited
Model model innovations : RTE, Returns Entity
Table for Two

5. Key Segments
Criteria Core Supplementary
Geography Rural, Inaccessible Urban, Accessible
Learner Profile Native language, less literate Moderate English, reasonable
family, limited access to access to existing schools
school
Infrastructure Single room mixed schools Multi grade schools
Teacher Quality Poor, Not regular Moderate, regular
Digital access Poor. Unreliable power. Good.
Affordability Low Moderate
Key Project Objective Ensure robust basic literacy & Enhance learning & application
numeracy skills (PISA scores).
Key Project Challenge Low affordability & digital Low application / engagement
access > physical game in learning > games for
Poor teacher quality & sustained interest
availability > simple game for
self-learning

6. Curriculum (Illustrative)
Language* Mathematics Science
Alphabet Numbers The word around us
KG Simple Word
Sentences Operations : +, -, X, / Science - Tell me why?
Gr 1-3 Reading
Technical / Literature - Applied Maths :
Gr 4-5 Reading, Writing Business, Science Applied Science
*Transition thru Native language to English to be planned as required
• Focus on critical basic literacy objectives in KG & early grades.
• Critical handicap in current system
• Game based approach can add maximum value here
• Give an introductory exposure to applying the basic skills to real world needs
on Gr 4-5.
• Est. 36 hours per stream of learning per annum to be available for covering
the proposed content

7. Content : English (Illustrative)
Ravensburger Alphabet Jigsaw Puzzle What a great way for kids to play America’s favorite word
game! Kid-sized words and colorful pictures make it fun to
match letter tiles to words on the grid.
K (5-6 yrs) Hundreds of interesting and challenging questions presented in a
This is an interesting preschool educational game. colorful card format test players knowledge in three categories:
Kids learn not only "correct sentence formation" but Express Yourself (Expressions and Idioms); Give Me Grammar (Tenses,
also "correct pronunciation". Sentence Structure etc.); and what’s the Word (Vocabulary).

8. Content: Maths (Illustrative)
Win tricks by completing the sum. A triple set of HooHa! games. Great
Addition on one side of the board and subtraction on the other. activities for learning 2, 5 and 10 times
A great game for the younger player. Double-sided game board tables.
with 72 cards.
2 - 6 players from 4 years.
GAME BOARD BOOK: MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION • PCODE 00-011 Pack your bags and embark on a world tour of some of the world's
• PID 135 most exciting cities in MONOPOLY The World Edition! As you jet-set
A collection of six board games, complete with all counters and around the world, you will pass over six continents before you even
spinners, in a fold up booklet. Excellent to travel with or use in pass GO! Wheel and deal in the most exotic cities and exciting cities
school. with property values in the millions

9. Content : Science (Illustrative)
Each deck consists of Solid, Liquid, Gas, Melt, Evaporate, Condense, Swap -- This fast paced game will give students the
and Solidify (Freeze) cards. Cards are played in an order to simulate the chance to learn the steps of the scientific method and
changes matter goes through in the real world. Cards are color coded other science facts as they swap, discard, and draw to
to ensure that the correct card is played at the right time. No set-up try to be the first player to collect a series of cards. For
time required. Just deal the cards and play. For 2 to 6 players 3 - 6 players, grades 3-10.
A shockingly enjoyable introduction to the study of electricity! Take
the mystery out of electrical circuitry as you race to complete Infinity of models to create with the Meccano metal
workable 6-volt or 110-volt circuits. But be careful not to get shocked construction system based upon movements and
or shorted out! Deck of 84 cards include energy sources, users, mechanics.
switches, wires, fuses, etc. Game also includes simple explanation of Ideal for inventive constructors 8 years and over.
electrical circuits. 2-6 may play. Grades 4-Adult

10. Supplementary / Integrative Learning

11. Entry thru Native Language : Adapt Content
Chotu Aksharit is the World's first Hindi word
game intended for language beginners (ages
below 10 yrs). There are two games with colorful
picture crosswords on them on which the letters
have to be placed. One game has words without
Matras (vowels) and the other game has words
with Matras and between them the entire Hindi Bilingual Books
alphabet of Hindi is covered. Each word has a
Diwali: Khushiyon Ka Tyohaar
corresponding picture to help children Price: $10.99
remember the word meaning. With the patented Age: 3 and Up
Akshara and Matra (vowels) tile design you can Language: English and Hindi
Format: Hardcover
spell any and every word of Hindi. Chotu Aksharit
is the funnest way to learn Hindi!
Age: 4+ Years

12. Content OnLine (Illustrative)
Literacy Games | PBS KIDS Online Learning Games - Fisher Price
pbskids.org/games/literacy.html Online Games For Kids
Fun literacy games for preschool, kindergarten and www.fisher-price.com › Home › Games & Activities
early gradeschool kids. PBS KIDSLiteracy Games are Encourage smiles and learning at the same time with
vetted by teachers and educational experts and Fisher-Price's online learning games. From infant to
are ... preschooler, our online games are fun for everyone.
BBC - Schools Ages 4-11 - Literacy Sites Online Maths Games for Kids, Educational
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/literacy Maths Learning ...
.shtml www.numberworks.com/fun-stuff/games/
List of literacy websites for 4-11 year old students, NumberWorks'nWords, the maths tuition and English
including games and ... A collection of nursery songs tuition specialists, have developed a series of fun, free
from the Early Learning series Listen and Play and ... online games for you to play and enjoy. There is ...
BBC - Literacy Topics - The Magic Key - Spellits -
Tracy Beaker Free Online Kids Learning Games | Online Kids
BBC - KS1 Bitesize - Literacy Games | Cool Math ...
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/literacy/ www.cookie.com/games/viewallgames.html - United
Fun activities to help children at KS1 learn more States
about Literacy. ... English andLiteracy games for This is a fun color learning game for preschool and
children from Scotland can be found over in 1st kindergarten kids. In this game ...In this
Level Bitesize. vowel game, kids learn to identify short and long vowel
Deep Sea Phonics - Kung-Fu Sentences - Pirate .. Play Now ...
Spelling - Alien Punctuation

13. OnLine Access : thru Tab
Cost effective Android tablet, locked-in to content server
• Wifi : for use in Urban connected markets
• Offline : Pre Loaded core content for Rural digital-dark markets
• Leased to Urban schools - key source of revenue
for the entity.

14. Pedagogy & Delivery Strategy
Criteria Supplementary (Urban) Core (Rural)
Teaching Existing school Mobile Van camping at village for 2
Environment month p.a. Village game center for
rest of year.
Scheduling 36 Weeks X 1 session per stream 30 Days X 4 hrs per day Summer
over academic year. Camp. 1 session per stream per day.
Teaching Aids Physical game stock & Physical game stock : full year
Tabs : leased for academic year Tabs : 30 day Camp (off lease
period)
Teacher Existing school staff coached up Trained staff from Lets Play / Teach
on Lets Play methodology thru a India for Camp. Village center
Train the Trainer program supervisor for rest of year.
Assessment Quarterly online/ by school staff Half Yearly – by Lets Play staff
Funding User fees. Lets Play surplus from Urban
operations
Government subsidy
Nominal user fees

15. Scheduling
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
Session Summer Holidays Academic Session
1
2
3 Core Academics
Urban
4
5
6 Play Session (1 per week each : Language, Math, Science)
1
Guided : Core
2
Rural Academics + Self - Directed Play Self - Directed Play
3 Play Assess
&
4 Review

16. Reaching Out
The School on Wheels : Two teachers travel by bus to a
total of 6 centres a day. Each teacher visits the same three
centres every day, six days a week, and teach English,
Maths and Hindi at each for 2-3 hours. After class they
distribute a nutritious meal and at least once a week
theAmbulance comes to check on the children and
dispense medicine and treatment. Daily the Shower
Bus also visits each centre and provides the children with a
shower and cleansing products.

17. Business Model
Revenues
Leasing / Sale
of Tabs
Game,
Costs
Content Sale/
Royalty
COGS
Staff Salary Margin
Train the
Trainer Fee Rural Retained Surplus Limited Return Payout
Operations
Consulting Subsidy

18. Arun Sriram
Team : Let’s Play
Venture Lab, Stanford, Dec 12
THANK YOU