‘Leaders for Literacy’ Programme Combines Learning and Play
EVOKE’s game-based learning platform is improving child literacy by empowering youth to solve social challenges using 21st century skills and become social innovators and agents of change in their communities.
In 2017 World Vision South Africa partnered with EVOKE: Leaders for Literacy Campaign, to host a pilot programme at Thusalushaka in Limpopo. (‘Thusa Lushaka’ literally translated means, ‘help the nation.’) Limpopo has one of the lowest literacy rates in South Africa.
EVOKE’s online, multi-player and project based video game encourages innovative critical thinking and problem solving skills. Literacy experts and mentor support aid the learner/players through research skills, computer skills and observation while also building their understanding of project management, teamwork, entrepreneurship and job readiness.
The goal is for the youth learners to improve literacy in their local communities as they improve their own literacy skills. Initiatives such as assisting younger schoolchildren with homework, starting mini-libraries or even writing books are just the beginning.
The EVOKE programme, developed by the World Bank, requires the players to navigate 8 online missions and 48 activities, empowering them to become literacy advocates for future generations and to be transformative ‘game changers’ in their communities.
Each player, known as an ‘Agent of Literacy,’ receives his/her own login number and password and uses their newfound EVOKE powers, of which there are 10, to address the barriers to literacy faced in their communities.
These ‘powers’ also help to solve some of the world’s toughest problems as the players move through the online challenges and quests. Visuals are in comic format and various missions need to be completed.
The results of the pilot programme are promising and the learners involved are very enthusiastic.
World Vision South Africa’s partnership in this pilot programme is part of our continued commitment to education and empowering local communities.
