Koede

Mobile apps have become increasingly popular as tools to support both the acquisition and maintenance of new languages. KóEde is a mobile app specifically designed to provide an accessible and enjoyable way for children and adults to learn and maintain a Nigerian indigenous language, specifically the Yoruba language, and eventually, other Nigerian indigenous languages. As the number of children who grow up speaking no Nigerian language continues to rise (especially in urban areas and multilingual households), there is concern about the loss of Nigeria’s cultural heritage and the potential for increased social inequality. The developers of KóEde believe that by creating a mobile app that provides a fun and engaging way for children to practice their ability to speak and understand Yoruba, the loss of Nigeria's indigenous languages will be slowed down and, potentially, reversed.
In addition to being a means of communication, language is also one of the primary ways that people share common knowledge, history, and values with others. Therefore, language is a vital component of the social and cultural fabric of a community. In several African countries, including Nigeria, indigenous languages continue to play a major role in the everyday lives of citizens, especially in informal settings such as home, school and marketplace. However, due to the fact that the majority of formal education in Africa is delivered in a European language (such as English) or another non-African language, there has been a decline in the use of indigenous languages among children. To reverse this trend, KóEde is being created as a means of utilizing mobile technology to create opportunities for children to learn indigenous languages that are fun, engaging and relevant to their lives.
KóEde is based upon two educational theories: constructivism and social learning theory. Both theories agree that learning is a much more effective process when students interact with the material they are trying to learn, rather than simply passively accepting the information being conveyed to them. As a result, the design of the app is centered around the idea that the students who are in this caser the users learns the new vocabulary and grammatical concepts through interaction and feedback, as opposed to passive acceptance of the information. Students learn the new vocabulary and grammatical concepts gradually so that they may build upon prior knowledge and reinforce their understanding of the new information through repetition. This method of learning allows for greater retention of information and increases the likelihood of successful learning, especially for young students.
Gamification is the third foundational concept of KóEde's design. Gamification involves transforming the learning process into a game format, rather than providing students with static lesson plans or rote memorization exercises. The gamified elements of KóEde incorporate the same educational goals as traditional lesson plans but are made to be fun and motivating for the learner. The design of KóEde reduces anxiety, maintains learner motivation, and encourages learners to continue practicing until they complete difficult tasks.