KoEde

KoEde is a user-tested, Android-based, interactive language-learning app designed to assist children and adults learn Yoruba (and eventually other Nigerian languages) through interactive lessons, puzzles, matching games, and sentence-building activities.  Learning through KóEde includes a focus on creating an accessible and user-friendly environment that will help build foundational language skills, with the goal of age-appropriate learning.

Many Nigerians never learn one of the many indigenous languages of Nigeria, especially in urban and multilingual households. KóEde is a mobile language-learning application that provides an enjoyable and interactive way to learn the indigenous languages of Nigeria, starting with the Yoruba language and eventually other indigenous languages. KóEde has incorporated elements of play, interaction, and cultural relevance so that users can develop and maintain real language skills while contributing to the preservation of Nigeria's rich linguistic heritage.

Language is more than just a means of communication; it is also a method of sharing history, culture and values. Indigenous languages continue to be an important part of Nigerian people's daily lives and are used extensively in informal settings. Due to the fact that most of Nigeria's schools provide instruction in Western languages, children have few chances to study their native language or even engage in conversation in their native tongue. The goal of KóEde is to fill this void with an innovative, fun and accessible language learning platform that can fit seamlessly into a person's busy lifestyle, encouraging them to use the app consistently.

The KóEde app is based on active learning. Unlike traditional methods of teaching and learning that require students to sit passively and absorb information, KóEde requires students to actively engage in the learning process. Students interact directly with the vocabulary, pronunciation and images presented within the app. Vocabulary and grammar are introduced slowly and progressively over time, allowing students to draw upon prior knowledge and retain information due to repetition and feedback. As a result, the app is well-suited for young children who may not yet have sufficient language proficiency to benefit from more complex language apps, but also continues to be beneficial for adult learners.

Game-like elements are integral to the KóEde experience. Activities to learn new vocabulary and grammar are represented as games that are both enjoyable and free from anxiety, thereby continuing to motivate users to practice regularly. KóEde currently includes three primary types of learning activities. Word puzzle activities assist users in identifying and spelling Yoruba words by requiring them to trace patterns in a letter grid. Each pattern is accompanied by a corresponding image. Matching games assist users in strengthening the connection between vocabulary and meanings through drag-and-drop interactions. Immediate feedback is provided. Users are asked to assemble words into grammatically correct sentences using sentence-building activities. All visual prompts are included to support learners in developing a sense of meaning in the order of the words.

Audio support is available throughout the KóEde app, allowing users to listen to and repeat the correct pronunciation of individual letters, words and sentences. In addition to supporting listening and speaking skills, audio support also assists users in connecting written words with spoken language, thereby enhancing reading and vocabulary development.

KóEde was built using a user-centred design methodology where prototypes were tested multiple times and feedback from the test subjects was incorporated back into subsequent prototype designs. Each round of testing and evaluation informed changes to usability, navigation and clarity. Overall, users agreed that the app was intuitive and motivating younger users specifically contributed to the development of clearer instructions and simplified interfaces.

KóEde is built for Android to allow for access across a variety of device platforms and network environments. With its simple interface, culturally relevant graphics, and rewarding tracking features, KóEde allows each user to create a personal experience to learn their native language. KóEde is an example of how indigenous languages can be preserved and promoted through technology and innovation.

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