Language independent application for kids
Language independent applications have been are specially developed for kids in the pre-language reading age to help minimize incomprehensible content on the screen. The application interfaces rely heavily on well-crafted icons developing a strong visual vocabulary at an early age. To reduce the learning time for a new module and allow the child to quickly start using the application, the interface must be common, easy-to-use and language-independent.
The Toolkids series from WebAccess is designed to bring about an understanding of the underlying principles of digital media, and their creative possibilities, acknowledging that digital tools (used in computers, or as embedded in various other digital creation equipment) will be the main tools of the new generation.
Overview
Toolkids aims to excite the child’s imagination about the possibilities which exist when using digital tools, as compared to physical tools. For example, a digital pen can transform itself instantly to write in any colour, can change its strokes and have special effects; possibilities which don’t exist in the physical world.
With Digital Tools possibilities never exhaust. All Toolkids CDs have been designed so that they begin by showing examples; to inspire, explain and excite the young mind. The examples are followed by providing easy-to-use tools, for everyone to be creative, imaginative and innovative. All the tools provide open-ended exploration, limited only by the child’s imagination. The examples are arranged in an increasing order of complexity, so that the child can go on to progressively higher levels, without finding any stage too difficult to understand or handle.
The series is designed keeping the learning needs of 3 to 6 years old children, while the individual tools can be used long after, even as the child grows older. Toolkids can be used both for collective activities in the class room; as well as for individual working by kids. The universal interface of the series makes it ideal for use as content in community development programs and government schemes for primary and pre-primary education, where the modules can become part of the content for kiosks and computers installed for children. Another major area of Toolkids use is at home as a fun, play activity; through retail purchase at outlets such as toy-stores, children’s section in bookshops etc.
Additional Advantages
Toolkids can very easily substitute for many steps in early computer learning, as children would learn and master with ease many computer operations such as pointing, clicking, double-clicking, selecting, dragging, mouse controls etc. naturally and without any extra effort when playing with Toolkids. Fine motor control and hand-eye coordination are positive side-effects of using Toolkids.
All CDs have completely original material and images, chosen carefully to appeal to and excite the very young, and keeping them engaged with hours of learning fun. Material in the set is presented in 5 categories: 1. Basic Tools; 2. Combinations; 3. Actions; 4. Animations; 5. Transformation;
1. Basic digital tools: Freehand drawing pens; line shapes to make line drawings and illustrations; coloring tools with images to color; basic shapes and shapes-combining tools; and combination of all the basic tools in one easy-to-use interface for making more elaborate images. All tools come with demonstrations and samples, to explain and initiate the activity.
2. Combination is designed to develop creativity, imagination and innovative faculties. An assortment of basic parts to be combined by the child in new ways to create new objects such as buildings, trucks, cars, dress up kids, robots, creatures, and fishes etc. It is great for idea generation, and as an introduction to the potential of ‘combination’ as a tool for creativity
3. Introduction to digital manipulation, exhaustive set of actions and object combinations generating realistic motions or imaginary ones such as rotation, flipping, jumping, swinging, blinking, yo-yoing, shaking, scribbling, changing colour, exploding, and many more. The actions are performed in loop and when combined with sound can generate active screens with multiple objects performing multiple actions.
4. Do it yourself animation tool: Perhaps the simplest animation application ever designed, allowing children to play with a variety of objects, backgrounds, paths, motions and movements, and sounds; to create professional looking animations on their own with drag-and drop ease. Open-ended and full of innovative possibilities, the motion module helps children understand and learn the basic parameters of digital animation.
5. Introduction to the concepts of transformation of changing form and properties through digital tools: Tools to enlarge and reduce, expand or compress, rotate and reflect; distort and modify; with a range of interesting activities to let children experience and understand the nature and the creative power of digital transformations.
For more info go to the Toolkids Website