2. Who are we?
AMAKiDS
A window to knowledge
• Amakids (Amazing Kids) is a non-for profit organization that aims to develop an innovative
way of teaching to visually impaired children
• Amakids mission is to introduce a new way of learning in order to improve the visually
impaired children's’ wellbeing by improving their intellectual skills, interpersonal and physical
conditions, as well as encouraging active learning rather than simple memorization.
• The objective of Amakids is to motivate the desire to acquire knowledge of the kids with
partial or complete sight loss, by changing radically the actual way of learning. The
knowledge acquisition will be based on the entertaining features of ad hoc designed 3D
sound games. In a few words: Learning by Playing
• Through Amakids games, the knowledge formation will not be “boring” anymore, but a truly
happy and entertaining activity through curiosity in exploring the next level or the next
module
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3. Background
evidence?
AMAKiDS
• Globally, the number of people of all ages living with sight loss is estimated to be 285
million, of whom 39 million are blind
• About 90% of the world's visually impaired live in developing countries
• An estimated 19 million children worldwide have sight loss
• 1.4 million children worldwide are irreversibly blind for the rest of their lives
• There are over 570 schools worldwide which aim to help children with this inability.
• Every 5 seconds one person in the world goes blind.
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IT
A window to knowledge
4. Background
evidence?
AMAKiDS
• In Albania there is only one National Institute created in 1963 that covers almost the
whole country needs for the categories of students .
• The services are currently provided by the central government or offered by international
and local NGOs. But even these services are concentrated mainly in Tirana and other cities
with better infrastructure.
• That’s why the develop of this 3d game will reach families and children that are located in
more distanced areas and may also be something fun and educational at the same time,
thus making possible the inclusion and treatment of these children in the same way as
everyone else.
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5. What do we
want to do?
AMAKiDS
• We will develop an educational 3D sound game that through different modules will help
children of age 5-17, to learn the main school courses throughout an entertaining manner.
• Amakids will develop different courses modules and levels for a complete learning of:
• English
• Math
• Geography
• History
• Science, etc!
• Through Amakids games, the knowledge formation will not be “boring” anymore, but a truly
happy and entreating activity through curiosity in exploring the next level or the next module
EN
IT
A window to knowledge
6. How does
it work?
AMAKiDS
• The games will have two orientation functionalities:
o On one side the children will be directed through the 3D sound system to interact with
the game
o On the other side, the 3D graphics throughout the animated cartoons will support the
children assistants (parents or teachers)
• In practice, the kid will be oriented throughout the animated cartoon sound commands and
the kid will interact/ take decisions throughout the mouse, direction keyboard commands
and space button
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IT
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7. Why is it
educational?
AMAKiDS
• All the game modules (English, Math, History, etc) and levels (First, Second, Third, etc) will be
designed and organized according to the authorized teaching program and in collaboration
with:
– Institute of visual impairment children “Ramazan Kabashi”, Tirane
– Ministry of Education
– Specific teachers
– Psychologists
– Experts in teaching visually impaired children
• Teachers & Parents will be involved in the learning process through:
– Teacher Forums and Newsletters
– Games/pintables; geared to subjects & grade level
– Family activities
– Newsletter
– Tips EN
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8. Social
impact?
AMAKiDS
• Introduction of a different way to acquire knowledge – Knowledge through gaming
• Direct improvement of blind children well-being
• A new way of learning – through gaming
• Non-discrimination of children since the game can be played by everyone.
• Assists child's orientation in space.
• We have found that games prove to enhance the
– intellectual,
– Interpersonal,
– physical abilities of children
– but most of all, It encourages active learning, rather than simple memorization.
EN
IT
A window to knowledge
9. Technical
Aspects?
AMAKiDS
• Operations - The game will offer a limited number of choices (2-5 alternatives) that the
children is supposed to undertake in order to assure the speed and performance of the game
• Operating systems - The operating systems that the game could be installed/played for the
fist versions will be Windows/ Linux/OS X/Android/IOS/Html5/Blackberry 10
• Sound orientation functionality - The game will implement a 3D stereo sound system. The
sound orientation will be based on the hearing senses, in left and right directions. For
example, when the sound will come from the left ear it means that the animated cartoon is
moving on the left and the same applies for the right ear.
EN
IT
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10. Project
phases?
AMAKiDS
A window to knowledge
• Phase 1 – Functionality Analysis and workflow engine creation
– Kick-off & Development of the game engine along with the sound enhanced functionalities
– Kick-off & Development of the first module – English language
– Test & versioning of the game (Interface and User experience)
• Phase 2 – Launch of the Alpha & Beta versions of the first module - English
– Launch of the Alpha & Beta (improved versions)
– Kick-off of the IOs & Android programming
– Finalizing the first module – English (I/II/III/IV levels)
• Phase 3 - Launch of the final version on PC & kick-off of the second module – Math
– Kick-off of the second module - Mathematics
– Launch of final version on PC
– Launch of the Alpha & Beta IOs & Android versions
– Test & versioning of the second module – Mathematics (I/II/III/IV levels)
• Phase 4 - Launch of the final versions for IOs and Android, and of the second module – Math
– Launch of the final version of IOs & Android
– Launch of the final version of the second module – Mathematics
– Analyse the integration and kick-off of future modules – Geography , History, Science, etc!
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11. Work-plan
timeline?
AMAKiDS
Tasks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Phase 1 – Analysis & Engine
Game engine & sound functions
Dev. of the 1module – English
Test & versioning of the game
Phase 2 – First Module “English”
Launch of the Alpha & Beta
Kick-off of the IOs & Android
Finalizing the 1 module – English
Phase 3 – Second Module “Math”
Kick-off of the 2module – Math
Launch of the Alpha & Beta IOs
Launch of final version on PC
Test & versioning of Math
Phase 4 – Final Versions
Launch of the final version of IOs
Launch of the 2 module – Math
Month 3 Month 6 Month 9
A window to knowledge
12. AMAKiDS
Phase 1
Functionality
Analysis and
workflow engine
creation
Phase 5
kick-off of future
modules –
Geography , History,
Science, etc!
Phase 4
Launch of the final
versions for IOs
and Android, and
of the second
module – Math
Phase 2
Launch of the Alpha
& Beta versions of
the first module -
English
Phase 3
Launch of the final
version on PC &
kick-off of the 2
module – Math
September ‘14 January ‘15
Milestones?
March ‘15 July ‘15 Sept ‘15
…
A window to knowledge
13. Future
AMAKiDS
A window to knowledge developments?
EN
• Balkan development – Launch the game for the other countries in Balkan countries
• Albanian development – Launch the game for the children with no sight problems in Albania
• Game enhancements – Voice control features, empowerment of the game modules through
IT
artificial intelligence technology
• Operating Systems – Enhance the actual operating systems and provide for new ones
14. Team?
EN
AMAKiDS
A window to knowledge
ANISA KADAREJA – Project manager
Relevant experiences:
• Master in Management of Social Enterprises, Non Profit and Cooperatives, SDA Bocconi School of
Management - University "L. Bocconi "of Milan
• Creation Implementation of the Business Plan for the redevelopment of the former industrial area
Caerano San Marco, in the province of Treviso
• Project manager on behalf of the Lombardy Region for projects which aimed the development of
IT
corporate & territorial welfare .
ENGJELL RRAKLLI
Relevant experiences:
• 5 years of game development experience developing 2D and 3D games of various genres.
• Bachelor degree in computer sciences and he is also a last year post graduate student in computer
science, faculty of natural sciences, University of Tirana.
• Deals with the general management of the development team and selecting the technologies
applied.
• finding the most efficient development approach.
15. Team?
EN
IT
AMAKiDS
A window to knowledge
ALTIN KADAREJA
Relevant experiences:
• Consultant at Prometia , Milan, Italy
• Risk Management at Intesa San Paolo , Milan, Italy
• Master of science in Innovation and technology at Bocconi University, Milan
• He is the financial manager of the project
ALDO BTURKU
Relevant experiences:
• 2 years of modelling and animation experience.
• Bachelor degree in computer sciences and he is actually completing the last year post graduate studies
in Information Technology, faculty of natural sciences, University of Tirana.
• He is the main game designer and animator
