Doukas School pupils give their verdict on the iRead Game

By Yannis Kotsanis and Thomas Economou (Doukas School)

Brighter, more Adventurous, more Fun, more Accessible and Played with our Hands!

We started an impressive digital exploration to the mysterious “Navigo: Pyramids of the Lost Words” we walked on moving stones, we ran around to avoid traps, we drove aerial trains and boats via underground tunnels and many others in order to accomplish our missions that are getting more and more difficult through the game. In a bright environment, full of colours and amazing 3D graphics we seek the lost treasures through games that combine phonology, phonetics, morphology and syntax.

The character’s design, walk through pyramids and collection of key treasures reinforced children’s interest and motivated them to play the game even though all the activities were in English. Students from the 2^nd grade of primary school sent, with enthusiasm, the comments below to the developers of the learning application:

• I enjoy that there are lot of adventures. (Alexandros & Evaggelos, B’1)
• We can design a face without buying the hero. (Aggelos B’3)
• I enjoy the action. I can jump on rocks! (Achilleas B’2)
• We can play in groups. (Magia B’3)
• The levels have action and adventure. (Iasonas B’2)
• We can travel in different countries. (Spiros B’3)
• I can learn new words and that is funny. (Dimitris B’3)
• We can choose the heroes. I can choose any face I want! (Odysseas B’2)
• The “Pyramid” is amusing! (Antonis. B’2)
• There are nice graphics, nice screen. The games are fantastic. (Giannis B’2)
• The game is in English and in this way I can learn more new words. (Margarita B’5)
• A very nice game! I have never played before! (Eleni B’5)
• I like the pictures, you jump, you win! Is it possible to download it at home? (Stamatis B’5)
• We can choose our hero and enjoy playing the fantastic levels. (Vasiliki B’4)
• We can play levels that never finish because they are difficult. Ι like difficulties. (Christoforos B’4)

The trial program using tablets was implemented in small teams consisted of pupils from the 2^nd and 3^rd grade of primary school in 3 hourly lessons. Our aim is to integrate to our activities the Greek version of the iRead App. We would like to thank Mrs. Beltsou (2^nd grade) for inspiring students to express their experience, as well as our project team member, Mrs. O. Kortsari (3^rd grade).

Finally, it is worth mentioning that Doukas School coordinates 20+ Schools aiming to engage 750 students from all over Greece as soon as the final Greek Novice version of the application is available.