Originally posted by MET student Tyler on 25/01/2020
This is from Kickstarter where I searched for educational tools. I found this one very interesting, something that could be used in a primary classroom, as well as at home. This tool was developed in China as a virtual reality tool to help children learn words, have different experiences and enhance their learning.
I am always wondering when a company is spending thousands dollars to develop these games and add “16 languages”. However, they would not hire someone to verify the languages. It is not the quantity but the quality. It is better to have 3-4 good languages installed in this tool rather than 16 that are not verified if they are even displayed correctly. The Arabic language was written backward (left to right). It should be right to left and the letters should be attached.
I would not invest in this venture. There are so many children’s games APP out there that keeps children’s eyes glued to the screen for an extended period of time. I think this APP does a good job in terms of integrating AR technology, since children can move around the room while accessing the APP. It also makes whatever they are learning more interesting. But even though it lists many wonderful functions, they are merely “functions” and not the actual learning content. I would want to learn more about what kind of course and learning outcome this APP takes the child through before I make a decision to invest. Any good tech company can create an APP with advanced AR functions, but I believe having good content is the key to keeping the APP’s daily user numbers up.
I would not invest. While the pain point of helping students read exists, this is a flooded market and this pitch doesn’t present any compelling evidence that it is the ‘best’. The add-ons and cool features seem gimicky rather than meaningful. This venture makes use of a great technology (AR/VR/MR) but doesn’t appear to be marketing it to investors, nor does it indicate what they are asking and how quickly that investment will be returned. Who is the team behind this, would knowing who they are add the needed credibility? Some research supporting the efficacy of using AR/VR to teach reading would certainly go a long way. Cool idea, but I think I would pass.