Category:
Education
Location:
In 46 schools and NGOs in Lebanon
In 2 NGOs in Egypt as of May 2010
Summary:
Ikraa is a computer based self learning software program developed by *.Technology sarl. Ikraa enables its user to learn Arabic quickly and easily using audio and video technologies. Ikraa was developed with the objective of speeding up the Arabic language learning process which is considered among challenging tasks.
The Administration for Illiteracy Eradication of The Ministry of Social Affairs has estimated that the average time it takes an individual to learn how to read and write Arabic using the traditional teaching methods is 9 months.
With Ikraa learners managed to learn to read and write Arabic in just
5 days!
With the cooperation of the UNESCO regional office and under the patronage of Dr. Ghinwa Jalloul, Ikraa was able to cut the 9 month Arabic learning curve for illiterates down to 35 hours.
Two pilot experiments were implemented in Lebanon and in Egypt and proved to be successful. In both countries, existing computer labs were utilized. Participating illiterate women were able to read and write Arabic and to learn using computers in 5 working days, resulting in a tremendous outcome compared to previous experiments and initiatives.
Vision, objectives and goals:
It is well-known that ICTs have important and positive impacts on several fields. However, these ICTs have not yet been realized in tackling developmental challenges, especially the challenge of eradicating illiteracy in the Arab world and teaching Arabic language that is considered a tough task in general. Many local, regional, and international organizations and groups have labeled illiteracy as a main obstacle for development. In addressing this issue, these groups recommended that new technologies be utilized in teaching Arabic language to facilitate learning it.
Ikraa is a software program that utilizes information technology to facilitate, speed up, and shorten the regular time period needed to learn Arabic. That is achieved by teaching the language in a special accumulative method.
Participants are distributed as follows: 60% women, 20% men, and 20% children age three and above. Ikraa has been successful in:
• Speeding up and shortening the learning process of traditional teaching methods from nine months to five days (35 hours)
• Closing the gap of the digital divide in addition to learning how to read
• Closing the gap of illiteracy between men and women
• Closing the cultural gap between two generations: the youth and the parents
• Educating children age three and above, therefore proving that it is qualified to be used at schools to support the teaching of Arabic and ending any emergent illiteracy
• Enriching the Arabic language by linking it to modern technologies
Achievements, milestones and wins:
UNESCO Award for Merit and Innovation: http://www.learnaraby.com/award.aspx
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