Each group gave feedback on the program activities: F-Game, R-Games, splita, numiknow™ club, ICAM clubs, environmental monitoring, garden support and training. Most groups experienced similar positive outcomes while participating in the program, and sharing this information with others not only underscores the importance of the program but instills the sense of achievement in the communities where it was implemented.
The feedback summary reveals the significant impact of these sessions had on the community, particularly in terms of enhancing their numeracy skills and fostering a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle. The program has undoubtedly improved their ability to work with numbers, and has also heightened their awareness of their surroundings and the importance of preserving natural resources.
F-Game: (The numiknow™ board game for families and groups)
Families enjoyed playing the games together and improving their numeracy while doing so. The feedback also showed that students enjoyed including the elders in the games, and it broadened their knowledge while having an enjoyable time playing the games together with their loved ones. Interaction is one of the noteworthy points, as learning together is more fun than having to do it alone. The players enjoyed solving problems while playing games and learning valuable problem-solving skills. It was found that keeping score helps motivate players to improve.
R-Games: (Domino games for children in ECD and Grade R)
Here the main feedback we received was that educators enjoyed instilling a love for numbers in their children, and motivating them to come to class, due to the fun nature of these R-Games. It was also found that the R-Games are not only for preschool learners but older people can also play these games. It was found that smaller groups playing for shorter times are more effective for the R-Games, as preschool children essentially have a short attention span. The games also motivated more children to participate, and some described it as an unforgettable experience.
splita: (An assessment game for basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentage, ratios and fractions)
split-7 was a good challenge for most students as they found that it improved their numeracy and time management without using calculators. The feedback showed that players enjoyed having the games available on their cell phones for practising their skills on the numiknow™ app.
numiknow™ clubs: (After-school clubs facilitated by volunteers)
Most learners enjoyed being part of a club, participating in competitions and improving their numeracy. Using games to learn also improved learners’ participation and enjoyment. Some participants also testified that practicing and playing splita 7 improved the learners’ marks in school.
ICAM Clubs: (Environmental clubs
Students learned about the environment and, as a group, have begun taking better care of it. They learned in a practical and fun way, which resulted in improvement in their related school subjects.
Environmental monitoring
The participants learned a lot from the environmental monitoring. They became more aware of their surroundings and realised the importance of keeping their environments clean and safe from pollutants. It has been reported that littering has decreased, especially near local rivers, and they have monitored water quality to ensure the safety of their water consumption. The locals also enjoyed learning about indigenous plant species and how to reduce alien species in their environments.
Garden support and training
Participants enjoyed working outside in the gardens and learning new gardening skills. They enjoyed seeing how their gardens were growing and utilising the vegetables from the garden. The theory of looking after vegetable gardens helped the communities get better harvests as they could better care for their gardens. Participants learned to conquer various challenges to ensure successful crops and use their harvest for feeding schemes in their communities. An offshoot was improved knowledge on nutritional awareness.
After receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback, the numiknow™ team is more motivated than ever to continue implementing some of these programs and making a difference in our communities. There is a possibility of receiving funding for a follow-up SEF project, which will ensure that this good work will continue. The announcement about the possibility of a follow-up project will hopefully be made next month.
To contact Thias Taute about numiknow™ you can do so through the Hoedspruit Hub: 079 502 4727 or on email thias@hoedspruithub.com
