PLOXXI was designed and built by Cape Town interactive design company Formula D interactive for its Play to Learn Lab at Masiphumelele Primary School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. This is the first stage of the Learning Innovation Design Lab, a World Design Capital 2014 project (WDC251).
The lab uses design to innovate education by building a platform that brings together designers, learners, teachers and activists. Already in operation, the initiative accommodates 100 Grade 5 learners in weekly computer sessions as part of Connect Community Development's After School Activity Plan (ASAP).
"The Play to Learn Lab is a living design laboratory which allows us to engage with learners from previously disadvantaged communities in order to build true access to technology in these schools. User-centred design, such as PLOXXI, is so important for development," said Michael Wolf, founder and creative director at Formula D interactive. "We have to tap into the creativity of learners themselves to make technology work for 21st-century learning."
"For us, design has a critical role in creating better education. The research we'll be carrying out into gaming and education will be groundbreaking and has the potential to have a global impact," said Marco Rosa, MD of Formula D interactive.
The pilot project will run throughout 2014 and, if all goes well, learners at other schools will see the launch of labs featuring PLOXXI.
For more, go to www.learnlab.co.za or www.formula-d.com
