Solutions

GraphoGame Details

Description: GraphoGame is an educational tool designed to improve children's reading and writing skills, particularly focusing on dyslexia intervention. It utilizes gamified learning methods to engage children in literacy exercises and help them develop their reading abilities.

Type: Private EdTech company, for profit

Ownership: Majority ownership by founders, the rest is private investors

Organisation size: Micro-entreprise

Operational in: Zambia, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Qatar, UAE, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greenland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Cyprus, Canada, United States of America, Jamaica, Guyana, Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Australia

Serving: Kindergarten and primary school, children ages 4-9, in some markets also supporting adults

Technology Type and Infrastructure Requirements: Digital native application, available in all app stores, SaaS

User Competencies Developed: Reading and writing skills, dyslexia intervention

Connection Required: No

Contact: Mervi Palander, CEO mervi@graphogame.com
Graphogame logo

1. WHY

Skills the solution aims to improve: Reading and writing skills, dyslexia intervention

2. WHO FOR

The solution can be used by/serves: Kindergarten and primary school, children ages 4-9, in some markets also supporting adults

3. HOW TO IMPLEMENT

Resources needed for implementation/ Offline accessibility: Yes

Solution

 

Read the interview of Mervi Palander, CEO of GraphoGame.

 

What specific education challenge is this solution trying to resolve?

With over 1.2 billion illiterate people worldwide and 10% of the population facing dyslexia, the need for effective literacy support is more critical than ever. Educators face the challenge of providing adequate assistance in developing essential literacy skills. The consequences of low literacy extend beyond personal struggles, as it impacts society through poor health, increased crime rates, reduced earnings, welfare dependency, and diminished productivity. The correlation between functional literacy and income level as well as the risk of criminal activity highlights the urgency of addressing this issue.

 The global pandemic has further exacerbated the literacy crisis, resulting in a significant decline in literacy levels. However, GraphoGame has been actively collaborating with 18 nations and NGO's to combat this issue with remarkable success. Educators and schools are now seeking predictive, data-driven intervention models and comprehensive support to enhance functional literacy.


Where does this solution fit into a global or local (digital) educational landscape?

With the mission to empower and transform the lives of all children through accessible and personalized literacy education, GraphoGame addresses a critical challenge faced by millions worldwide.

In a world where 393 million children and 773 million adults cannot read, GraphoGame offers a scalable and effective solution to bridge this literacy gap. By providing a personalized approach to early literacy, the game helps children learn to read through a scientifically proven methodology. Additionally, the predictive data models enable teachers to identify struggling readers early on and intervene proactively to support their progress. With GraphoGame, we are making literacy accessible and achievable for every child, creating a brighter future for generations to come.

How does your solution work, especially for new users?

Children create their own avatar, making the experience uniquely theirs. The game focuses on foundational literacy skills, starting with phonics and gradually progressing to more advanced concepts like blending syllables and reading complex words. This structured approach ensures an effective learning journey.

Children as young as three can independently navigate the game, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-directed learning. The game's flexibility allows access both online and offline, enabling learning from home or school environments.

GraphoGame provides a supportive and interactive platform to develop literacy skills, empowering children to build a strong foundation for reading and writing.

 

How well-known, popular, or used is the solution in Finland? (To what do you attribute this success?)

In Finland, the solution is used by almost all children in the first grade, i.e., 63,000 children in the age group. 84,000 families downloaded the App during the first month. (Now 105, 000 downloads)

A few years ago, early language teaching was added in the curriculum in Finland, and there were no sufficient teaching materials and no in-service teacher training. Graphogame has provided help with this situation. The use of the Graphogame UK English version in Finland was paid by Partner Visma Corporation.

 

How safe is it to use this solution?

In the offline version of GraphoGame, we do not collect any personal data from the child, providing a secure experience directly on the device without external data collection.

With the upcoming launch of our SaaS or data service, we strictly follow GDPR guidelines, placing the responsibility of data collection and processing on the school or institution. Data security and privacy are paramount, and we take all necessary measures to protect users' personal information.

Our commitment to safety extends to both offline gameplay and our SaaS or data service, creating a secure environment for children to learn and grow while adhering to data protection regulations.

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User

 

Who can use the solution, what is the user’s role when using the solution, and what kind of skills are required?

Our solution is designed for learners of all ages, including children who are acquiring reading skills. Users play an active role, engaging with the solution based on their skill level. It's user-friendly and accessible—simply download the game from the App Store. For educational institutions and organizations, the SaaS service offers advanced features like data monitoring and personalized interventions.

 

Imagine a classroom setting: Describe the experience of the learners, teachers and other possible user types.

In a classroom setting, GraphoGame offers an engaging and interactive learning experience for learners, providing personalized challenges and feedback. Teachers benefit from data-driven insights to tailor instruction and offer intervention guidance.

Administrators can access reports, while parents stay involved in their child's progress. The solution fosters a supportive learning ecosystem where all users actively contribute to promoting literacy skills and achieving educational goals.

 

How are the users/teachers communicating with each other or building community in the context of/inside the solution?

Within GraphoGame, users and teachers communicate through an online teacher dashboard, enabling direct interaction and progress monitoring. Teachers can access data-driven reports, offering personalized feedback and interventions.

Parents can collaborate with schools, staying informed on their child's progress. Privacy is prioritized, ensuring a secure and inclusive learning environment.

 

What kind of capacity building or system support is necessary to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of the innovation?

The game itself does not require any special skill requirements from the users.

For the users of our future SaaS service, we will offer online training for using the platform and handling the data.

 

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Scalability, Impact and sustainability

 

Scale is a result of multiple successful implementations in a variety of contexts. How can the solution be scaled up to reach a larger number of learners and schools?

GraphoGame's scalability is proven through successful implementations in various contexts, making it a market leader, e.g., in Finland, Chile, Jamaica, Zambia and Brazil. To reach more learners and schools globally, we foster strategic partnerships, use technology, and continuously research and develop our solution. By tailoring it to local needs, engaging communities, and utilizing a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, we aim to empower millions with essential literacy skills for a brighter future.

Share an implementation success story/quote to describe your scalability.

 

One notable implementation success story comes from Brazil. Through a fruitful research collaboration with a local university, we developed the Portuguese version of GraphoGame specifically for Brazilian children. The Ministry of Education recognized the potential of our solution and took a proactive approach by funding access to the app for all Brazilian children. Their support, coupled with our robust marketing campaigns, led to an astounding achievement of reaching 2 million children within a single year.

This success story in Brazil is a testament to our scalability and the transformative impact we can have on a national level. We are dedicated to expanding our reach and partnering with governments, educational institutions, and organizations worldwide to ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop essential literacy skills through GraphoGame.

 

Explain your Operational model / Business model

Our operational and business model emphasizes scalability and impact. With 5 million downloads, we've secured nationwide deals and strong partnerships with public administrations. We'll invest in marketing for growth, offering premium B2B services to schools and exploring channel partnerships and B2C services for parents. Our data-driven approach and targeted marketing will drive success in 2023.

 

Is it possible for parents, teachers, schools, municipalities, governments, CSR/NGOs/Funds to become users/customers of your solution?

Yes, it is possible for parents, teachers, schools, municipalities, governments, CSR/NGOs, and funds to become users and customers of our solution. GraphoGame is designed to cater to a diverse range of stakeholders in early literacy education. Parents can download the game for their children, while teachers and schools can incorporate it into their curriculum. Municipalities, governments, and organizations can adopt the game on a larger scale to support literacy initiatives and reach more learners. Our flexible funding models ensure accessibility and affordability in different markets, allowing us to make a positive impact on literacy outcomes worldwide.

We are proud to be collaborating with esteemed organizations such as IADB, USAID, and AU. These partnerships further strengthen our efforts in promoting literacy and enhancing educational opportunities for children globally. Through these strategic collaborations and the involvement of various stakeholders, we strive to create a transformative impact on literacy education.

 

What are your pricing plans / funding models like?

For individual users like parents and children, the app is offered for free in many countries, allowing them to experience its benefits at no cost.

For schools and institutions, we provide annual licenses that grant full access to the game, along with additional features, analytics, and support for teachers and administrators. This tailored approach ensures affordability while meeting the specific needs and scale of each institution.

We actively collaborate with governments, NGOs, CSR initiatives, and funding organizations. These partnerships enable us to offer the game to schools and students at reduced or no cost, fostering equitable access to quality literacy education.

Furthermore, public-private partnerships drive our efforts to integrate GraphoGame into educational systems.

 

How do you measure the impact, or effectiveness, of your solution?

The effectiveness of GraphoGame is measured through an extensive body of research and scientific publications, involving over 30 universities and 300 peer-reviewed studies, as well as 18 PhD theses. With over 5 million downloads, 500,000 monthly active users, and 18 national deals, the game has already made a significant impact on children's literacy development.

Research conducted by Cambridge University has confirmed that GraphoGame is as effective as one-to-one teacher support in improving reading and literacy skills among children. The robust evidence from these studies covers various languages, specific populations, and reading 

abilities.

To access the evidence and research supporting the game's effectiveness, interested individuals can visit the company's website, where links to these studies are provided. This transparency and accessibility to research findings underscores our commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.

 

Does the user receive feedback on the impact of the solution after using it? If so, how?

As an adaptive game, GraphoGame tailors the learning experience to each user's individual needs and skill levels, offering personalized feedback and guidance throughout the gameplay.

For parents, the game collects granular data about their child's progress and performance, which is stored within the device. Parents can access this data and view their child's progress.

In school settings, the offline app can be activated online, allowing teachers to access data and insights about their students' gameplay. This data is complemented by intervention instructions specific to each child's needs, empowering teachers to provide targeted support and feedback based on individual progress.

The incorporation of data-driven feedback and intervention instructions enhances the learning experience, enabling users to monitor their progress, address areas for improvement, and receive timely support from teachers or parents. This feedback mechanism ensures that users can make the most of their learning journey with GraphoGame

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Implementation and adaptation needs

 

They say innovation needs to be flexible, as it will look different over time. Describe the flexibility of your solution.

Through research collaboration with over 300 researchers in the GraphoLearn consortium, we stay at the forefront of literacy learning technology, driving ongoing innovation.

We are committed to expanding language versions, working with experts to develop new language versions that cater to diverse populations. This ensures that our solution can reach a wider audience and address the specific linguistic needs of different regions.

We remain open to incorporating new features and levels into the game. By exploring new ideas and innovations through research collaborations, we enhance the learning experience and meet the evolving needs of our users. This flexibility allows us to integrate cutting-edge research findings and pedagogical approaches into the game, continuously improving its effectiveness.

What kind of adaptations are necessary when implementing the solution in a new location?

Language Localization: Translating the game's content and instructions into the local language ensures it is accessible and engaging for users in the target location.

Cultural Sensitivity: Adapting the game's content to reflect the local culture and customs helps create a meaningful and relatable experience for users.

Educational Alignment: Aligning the game with the local educational goals and curriculum standards ensures it complements and supports existing educational initiatives.

Teacher Training and Support: Providing training and support for teachers on integrating the game into instruction and using data for personalized interventions is crucial for success.

Technical Infrastructure: Ensuring the availability of necessary devices and internet connectivity is essential for smooth implementation and usage.

How do you expand into new markets?

To expand into new markets, we take a strategic and research-based approach. We develop language versions specific to the target market, collaborate with local research partners, conduct research and testing, seek partnerships with governments and NGOs, offer national deals for free access, and distribute the game through app stores, both as a free app and a paid app, based on the market's requirements. This approach ensures that GraphoGame reaches a wider audience and makes a positive impact on literacy education in diverse regions.

How has the solution been implemented and adapted?

GraphoGame's implementation and adaptation have been guided by research, collaborative partnerships, language localization, user feedback, and a focus on scalability and expansion. Through these efforts, we ensure that the solution remains effective, relevant, and accessible to learners in different educational contexts and languages, contributing to improved literacy outcomes worldwide.

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Ecosystem

 

Who are the necessary people and roles needed to ensure a successful implementation of your solution?

A successful implementation of GraphoGame involves a collaborative effort between the development team, research partners, educational experts, support and customer service team, and various stakeholders. By leveraging the expertise and contributions of these individuals and roles, we ensure that the solution is effectively implemented, achieves its intended impact, and supports learners in their journey towards improved literacy skills.

How can local innovators, startups or organisations collaborate with you or the solution?

Collaboration with local partners, NGOs, and organisations is a key driver of our success in expanding the reach and impact of GraphoGame. By joining forces with local partners, we can leverage their unique insights and capabilities to tailor the solution to meet the specific needs and challenges of different regions and communities. Together, we can make a greater impact on improving literacy skills and transforming the lives of children worldwide.

How can local stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, and parents, be engaged in the implementation of the solution?

Local stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, and parents, play a crucial role in the successful implementation of the GraphoGame solution. By actively engaging and collaborating with these stakeholders, we can create a supportive and impactful ecosystem that fosters literacy development and empowers children to reach their full potential. Together, we can build a brighter future for the next generation through accessible and effective literacy education.

 

How do you collaborate with the ministry?

We work closely and actively with ministries in various countries especially to seek funding, to find effective distribution channels and also to share valuable national data.

By securing research grants, we can conduct extensive studies and gather evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of the solution. This research funding helps us refine and improve GraphoGame based on scientific evidence.

In some countries, we collaborate to achieve nationwide distribution of GraphoGame. Ministries recognise the value of our solution in improving literacy outcomes and provide financial support to ensure that all children in the country have access to the game. This partnership allows us to reach a wider audience and have a greater impact on literacy development at the national level.

With the upcoming launch of our SaaS (Software as a Service) data platform, we can generate valuable data on the literacy levels and factors influencing literacy across the entire country. This data can provide valuable insights to ministries, helping them make informed decisions about literacy policies and interventions. By sharing this data with ministries, we contribute to their efforts on improving literacy rates and addressing literacy-related challenges.

How can the middleman help you?

By collaborating with a middleman, we can leverage their expertise and resources to navigate the complexities of entering new markets, expand our reach, and ultimately make a greater impact in promoting literacy education worldwide. The middleman's support enhances our ability to form strategic partnerships, understand local markets, and tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of each region. Together, we can work towards our shared mission of empowering children with essential literacy skills and transforming lives through accessible education.

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User testimonials

 

Boy, Jamaica
“I enjoy playing GraphoGame. It teaches me new letters and words, and also how to pronounce them. It is a fun game.“

Parent to a 4th grader.

“I was introduced to GraphoGame as my son was a slow reader. It has improved his reading and helped his pronunciation. I can see how much fun he has playing the game and how much he has improved. I am very thankful for GraphoGame.”

Ms. Joy Skyers, Learning Specialist, Lannaman's Prep School

“The Graphogame is one of the best educational tools. The perfect steppingstone to reading. Hearing the letter sounds helps the children to remember and identify words. They see it as fun while learning. Our Grade 4 students who are underperforming in reading are benefiting tremendously from playing the game. A few of them have moved from pre primer readers, reading fluently at the Grade 1 level and ending the school year beginning to read at the Grade 2 level. I would definitely recommend parents and teachers to use the Graphogame to teach Phonics and Reading.”

Karlene Bisnott-Hemmings, Principal

“As the Principal in our school, I encouraged the lower school cohort and those who were struggling with reading to download the game on their devices. Although I am not in a position to confirm how many did, the feedback from some who did has been positive. In the coming school year, we intend to make it mandatory for 3, 4 and 5-year-old students to have the game on their devices and have the teachers structure Graphogame time weekly. This approach is sure to bring greater success at reading to our young students."

 

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