Literacy & Curriculum

Research Goal:

Simbi Foundation literacy research focuses on analysing the ways in which we can support literacy progression at our partner schools through digital curriculum and technology innovation. 

Description:

Ongoing research includes ensuring alignment of Simbi Learn Cloud curriculum content with the national curricula, as well as supporting in the integration of the content and the training of local teachers. Research also includes analysis of the effects of Simbi Reading-While-Listening software.

Next Steps:

The Simbi Foundation Literacy research team are currently developing a new research study to analyse the benefits of Reading-While-Listening in English accents that are local to South Sudanese and Northern Ugandan students in our partner schools in refugee settlements.

Solar

Research Goal:

The principal focus of our Solar Power research is to optimize and scale the current solar system used in our BrightBox learning labs. 

Description:

Both of our BrightBox solutions use solar power in order to provide digital education technology to schools and communities who have little or no connection to grid electricity. We are constantly seeking to optimise our solar systems in order to boost the amount of power they are able to draw, the number of educational devices that can be powered, and the number of community members who are able to charge their devices there, the charging costs from which go directly back into communities.

Next Steps:

The Simbi Foundation Solar research team is currently focused on investigating possible upgrades for our solar technology, as well as seeking the best methods for optimizing and streamlining the experience of community members and healthcare workers coming to BrightBoxes to charge their devices.

Technology & Connectivity

Research Goal:

The Simbi Foundation technology research aims to provide solutions for the upgrading of our curriculum server andk connectivity systems in partner schools. 

Description:

Our BrightBox learning lab solutions are designed to provide our partner schools and communities with solar-powered access to education technology and offline, supplementary curriculum content on the Simbi Learn Cloud. For larger partner schools, our offline curriculum connectivity system needs to stretch further in order to allow more students and teachers in nearby classroom blocks to use the resources.

Next Steps:

The Simbi Foundation Technology research team is currently analysing data collected in early 2020 and investigating the most effective upgrades we can make in the near future to ensure that more students and teachers at a school can have sustainable, fast access to the curriculum content

Gender-Based Analysis

Research Goal:

The Simbi Foundation Gender-Based Analysis has the principal goal of better identifying intersectional barriers that prevent women and girls from having access to education. 

Description:

The Gender-Based Analysis seeks to investiage the intersectional barriers faced by girls when accessing education. These barriers lead to fluctuating school attendance, difficulties in catching up with missed school work, and school drop-out. To deepen our understanding of these challenges, a preliminary Phase I needs assessment was conducted in July 2019, during which the GBA research team spoke with focus groups in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement about difficulties that they faced, and services that they believed would improve equal access to education. 

Next Steps:

We are planning an exciting and meaningful Phase II of this research study, which aims to conduct further needs assessments, explore sustainable and local solutions to the lack of menstrual product availability for girls, and discuss support programs for female students with our partner schools in Uganda and India.  

BIKE SHARE

Research Goal:

The Simbi Foundation Bike Share program seeks to provide remote students with improved and faster access to their schools, to which they may have previously been walking several kilometers.

Description:

Having conducted a needs assessment that identified students having to walk long distances to and from school every day, which appeared to be negatively impacting their in-classroom performance and energy levels, the Think Tank Bike Share research team collaborated with the local community to install a pilot Bike Share program and conduct pre-intervention student performance analysis in the Bidibidi Refugee settlement, giving a trial group of students access to bikes, and therefore faster access to education. 

Next Steps:

As we continue to analyse data collected in early 2020, our research team is investigating optimal locations for future Bike Share stations, discussing the best ways to enhance the sharing system with the local community, and planning the implementation of more bikes. 

UX/UI

Research Goal:

The Simbi Foundation UX research seeks to improve the learning experience of students and teachers at our partner schools who are using the Simbi Learn Cloud. 

Description:

Through our BrightBoxes, students, teachers, and community members have access to Simbi Learn Cloud digital curriculum, which supplements the relevant national curriculum and integrates into existing teaching goals. Since many teachers and students at our partner schools have not had extended access to, or training in, digital education technology, it is crucial that the Simbi Learn Cloud is as user-friendly, accessible, and locally-relevant as possible. Our UX research team is currently undertaking a preliminary investigation of how to optimize our current curriculum system.

Next Steps:

In order to ensure that any curriculum UX upgrades we make are as user-friendly and locally relevant as possible, we are planning to conduct several user tests in collaboration with our partner schools using alternate versions of our curriculum, during which feedback will be collected to inform which curriculum upgrades will be the most effective for students and teachers.