While schools are still closed and distance learning become commonplace, children are spending more time indoors with gadgets than they ever did before.
Taking away their iPads, Samsung tablets and other electronic devices results in disappointment or the throwing of temper tantrums by some children.
To fill the gap for healthier screen time, a team of young entrepreneurs has come up with an idea to develop a fun and educational tech-based solution called KeeDu.
KeeDu is a less serious and entertaining way of learning. It can be considered as an extra-curricular activity for self-learning at home and complements the existing online national education curriculum.
The solution aims to get hundreds of pupils educated at home and provide jobs to educators who are losing their jobs temporarily.
The eight people behind KeeDu are Moung Vandy, a digital designer and creative writer; Ith Serey Vaddhanak, a digital marketing specialist and community association officer; Ich Sokheng, an assistant developer, Has Chanleakhena, a content writer; Sa Sophanich, a university student in Economics and Management; Udam Visal, majoring in software engineering; Seng Uy, a computer science student; and Chhun Porchou, a software engineering student.
Most of them are fresh graduates and undergraduate students in different universities in Phnom Penh and other provinces. They have various skills in business, management, computer science, software engineering, information systems, and economics.
Together they are building a website and mobile app-based educational platform for nursery, kindergarten, and primary school students for healthier and more beneficial screen time.
“Children studying through KeeDu will get extra benefits as they will understand the importance of self-study.
“Some kids will recognise that studying at home is not boring at all. Instead, it is the best time for them to experience something new that is also not taught in school.
“Additionally, they will be entertained and amazed with artistic videos,” the team tells The Post.
According to the team, KeeDu will also offer real-time support for your children. “The curriculum in the app is organised and taught by selected teachers who teach in kindergarten and primary school levels.
“However, because the new App was just developed in April, the KeeDu team will only release the study programme for kindergarten first, and later for the next levels,” the team says.
The World Health Organisation guidelines recommend that children aged between two and four should watch only one hour per day of approved programming. Children over five can enjoy a maximum of just two hours per day.
Because too much screen time can harm a child’s development physically and mentally, it is recommended that parents make the best use of their children’s screen time, and select educational and entertaining programmes for them.
Because schools remain closed, teaching is an extremely huge obligation for family. The team believes that KeeDu will play a part in helping children to self-study and lessen their parents’ burden in this area.
The platform lets children enjoy the educational programme on their own without much assistance from guardians.
The platform is designed to be user-friendly, simple and easy, thanks to the use of cartoons.
The learning programmes come in two languages – Khmer and English.
Consisting of brainstorming questions, quick questions and answers, educational video games, creative animations and scientific videos, KeeDu is similar to kids programmes around the world.
But the unique thing is that the content is developed based on the Khmer context and lifestyle.
“Soon, we will update the Khmer content in the video as this method has already been adopted in other countries. The new content will come with a national identity and be adjusted to the context of the user,” the team says.
The website and app with a premium subscription will be offered free during Covid-19 and consists of virtual learning, videos, real-time support from the best-selected teachers in Cambodia when needed, and plenty of simulated games to boost children’s thinking skills and creativity.
“Likewise, we also plan to create a premium subscription for free versions which soften the relationship between students and teachers, parents or guardians and teachers. This is a new concept,” the team tells The Post.
The team has not set the date of release its mobile app and website version of KeeDu yet as they are currently in development and testing. However, the team is confident it will be ready for launch soon in Apple App Store and Play store.
After downloading, users can just register with their phone number or link to their Facebook account. For more information, please visit the Facebook page: @KeeDu or Call to 069 446 542.
