B.A. BA-Technologies: Kidotech

B.A. BA-Technologies is a non-profit social enterprise set-up in 2017 by Debora Emmanuela Toussaint, we inspire and  empower a new generation of leaders and innovators. We envision a world where every child has the opportunity to explore and excel in their STEAM  and entrepreneurship abilities, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.We conduct different projects and   use different methods and concepts for improving and enhancing a kid's cognitive ability.

As an institution,  we are dedicated to aspiring to equip our learners with the skills and expertise required to excel in the rapidly evolving digital age, and equip them with the ability to improve lives  for the greater good. With a focus on inclusive and collaborative learning, that stimulates curiosity and creativity, foster critical thinking, and inspire innovation.

 We strive to raise awareness about the importance of STEAM  and entrepreneurship education and its impact on the future of our world. We believe that by equipping children with the skills and knowledge they need to solve complex problems and make informed decisions, we can contribute to a more prosperous, and sustainable future for the children because they are the leader of tomorrow.

Mission

• Educate: we are teaching them  through interactive learning experiences, hands-on projects, and mentorship programs to leverage technology for the greater good

• Inspire: we are encouraging them to ignite a passion for innovation and creativity for positive social impact in their communities.

• Empower: we are empowering them to shape a brighter and more sustainable future for all where every child has equal opportunities

Vision

Ignite a spark in children's minds that will lead them to  become active contributors, the changemakers and innovators of tomorrow  to a thriving tech-driven society by providing a fun, dynamic, and inclusive learning environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

She is our visionary and the leader , She motivate us to reach our full potential for leading  towards the objectives and goals of B.A. BA-Technologies.  Provide Leadership and Guidance by guiding the  team members in decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
Hold the Team Accountable for their work and ensure that they complete assigned tasks within deadlines while adhering to the organization values and policy and support one another in achieving project outcomes.

The Team Lead and supporting team members are well-positioned to effectively support the LEAP Project, given other priorities within the organization, because they have the necessary skills, expertise, and experience to manage multiple projects simultaneously. They are familiar with the organizational goals and objectives,  and can prioritize tasks and allocate resources accordingly.

In addition, they understand the importance of collaboration and communication within and across teams, which enables them to coordinate efforts effectively. They are also able to identify potential roadblocks or conflicts and work proactively to address them.

Moreover, the team lead and supporting members can leverage tools and technologies that support project management, communication, and data sharing to optimize their workflow and minimize the negative impact of other priorities on the LEAP Project timeline and outcomes.

Overall, the team lead and supporting team members are equipped to balance competing priorities commit 2-4 hours of work per week over the course of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint, and ensure successful project delivery by leveraging their skills, experience, and teamwork.

We visit different primary schools to orientate, expose and educate them about STEAM and their importance

Technological literacy is extremely important in all aspects of today’s society  .  Over the past few decades, much of the world has continued to experience economic development largely due to rapid growth in technology. Despite this progress, there are still areas that remain untouched by advanced technologies.

 The case of Haiti compared to that of other countries in the region is a convincing example. Technological literacy allows for businesses to flourish, communication to take place, and knowledge to be attained. It is a critical skill to have, but many people do not have the opportunity to acquire technological proficiency due to poverty or lack of infrastructure.  For this reason, developing countries continually struggle to keep up with the global economy.  

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The intense levels of poverty have resulted in a lack of investment in human capital and a lack of educational infrastructure. Grade repetition rates are high which has led to over-aged students (67% of children are over-aged in 1st grade and 91% by the 6th grade) in already overcrowded classrooms . The quality of education is unsatisfactory due to under qualified and unqualified teachers, a lack of resources, and limited learning materials. With little access to computing resources and digital information content, young Haitians are unable to develop the technological literacy and familiarity required to participate in today’s digital economy.

By allowing children to discover the technology world, we help increase the speed and quality of children's learning, develop their cognitive factor, promote the number of young people who will contribute tomorrow to create or who may well manipulate equipment or materials to serve humanity.

Kidôtech is a B.A. BA-Technologies's project. We visit different primary schools to orientate, expose and educate them about STEAM and their importance . We Design a portfolio for each class with the school management propose different options which comprise various techniques and resources that would be beneficial for their staff, teachers, students and parents alike. This project includes the use of technological advancements such as digital tools, computer software and applications, and various interactive platforms which can enhance instructional skills and learning abilities.

Kidôtech Goals

● seek to provide a high-tech learning experience that will enhance student learning and engagement.
● Make learning more fun, interactive, and memorable between teachers and students .
● Address the issue of inadequate computer resources in most primary schools.
● Implementing an ICT-based curriculum that covers various subjects.

● Providing teachers with digital tools and software, allowing them to prepare interactive and engaging lessons to enhance the learning experience.

● Encouraging students to learn through digital games and simulations, fostering their problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

● Ensuring the availability of high-speed internet in the schools, as well as providing enabling teachers to display visual components and interact with the students.

The kids will acquire skills in: Programming, Problem solving, Public speaking, Leadership, Team building, Creativity , Electronic, Robotic, 3D modeling.

Our goal is not only to educate, but also to change the narrative that these kids have been exposed to by providing them with a new narrative focused on:
● Education based on a STEAM approach
● Civism where they will learn about Haiti’s story and patriotism
● Entrepreneurship where they will learn vital life skills and financial literacy;
● Networking where they will learn the importance of communication between like minded individuals, social classes and more.

Assessment:
 students will complete a series of assignments and assessments to demonstrate their understanding of the different components of the project. These assessments will include quizzes, hands on projects, written reflections, and oral presentations. Additionally, students will self-reflect on their own learning and process, and will be evaluated on their contributions to group activities.

Activities:

1. Providing each classroom with a computer, projector and interactive whiteboard.

2. Providing digital tools, gadget and software to teachers and students, including educational games and simulations.

3. Conducting teacher training sessions that include ICT integration and use of digital tools in classrooms.

4. Conducting online classes for the students to develop their online learning abilities.

 MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN

Each School  will have a tasks/action checklist with dates, tasks, and roles in order to measure real-time progress. 
We will host each quarter check-ins to confirm we are on track with our goals.
A progress dashboard will be created for each school  in order to measure their respective progress in real-time. 
A bi- quarter survey will be administered to the teachers, students and school management  to measure their skills acquisition. 
An overall survey will be administered at the end of the school year to measure the % schools that are using the skills learned. 

We conducted a formative research. We had an implementation studies with 3 schools different and place at different place in the capital  of Haiti. Each school had a different background and the students and the teachers had different level of education and teaching. The collection of data within the framework of kidotech is done mainly from the answers collected in interviews, small surveys, informal feedback, reports from participants, parents, employees and partners. This step is important to evaluate the effectiveness of our approach. We process data from employees and volunteers to see how they fit into our project. We also assess performance related to human capital. In this sense, research allows us to see the flaws in our approach by responding to questions such as whether the initiative has met expectations, whether the children have learned the new knowledge well, how this knowledge will be useful to them. . This is why we use tests that measure individual performance. Because it is one of the safest ways to report on the impact.

the solution is effective because participants who initially knew nothing about computers became able to create content in two weeks. and after months without touching a computer they are still able to develop skills

We conducted a formative research. We had an implementation studies with 3 schools. Each school had a different background and the students and the teachers had different level of education and teaching. The collection of data within the framework of kidotech is done mainly from the answers collected in interviews, small surveys, informal feedback, reports from participants, parents, employees and partners. This step is important to evaluate the effectiveness of our approach. We process data from employees and volunteers to see how they fit into our project. We also assess performance related to human capital. In this sense, research allows us to see the flaws in our approach by responding to questions such as whether the initiative has met expectations, whether the children have learned the new knowledge well, how this knowledge will be useful to them. . This is why we use tests that measure individual performance. Because it is one of the safest ways to report on the impact.

Other types of tests, evaluations or observations are also necessary to shed light on how the project is evolving, how we can better penetrate the target population and to answer a question did we do it right? By using the data collected, we plan to add training and certification programs to our project.

Strengthening the evidence base of Kidôtech can be achieved through various methods such as conducting research, gathering data, and tracking performance indicators. The evidence can then be used to improve the program’s design and implementation strategies, identify best practices, measure progress over time, and evaluate the effectiveness of the program. By doing so, we  can ensure that Kidôtech are meeting the needs of their stakeholders and making a positive impact in the communities.

1. To ensure that the solution meets the needs of the organization: Evaluating the evidence base of a technology solution can help identify if it is suitable for the organization and if it meets the specific needs of teachers and students. 

2. To measure the impact : we will use different concept of evaluation to know how effective our solution is in achieving desired outcomes such as improving learning outcomes, promoting engagement, or increasing interest in STEAM subjects. 

3. To make informed decisions: we will need to make decisions based on data and evidence, and not just assumptions . By examining the progress of each target via different survey evaluation, the team can make informed and data-driven choices about whether to invest in the STEAM integration in school as a method to develop the cognitive of the Kids and how to use it effectively. 

4. To drive quality improvement: We need to identify areas where the  solution is not working as intended and where improvements can be made. By focusing on the evidence, we can achieve better quality in the new  education practices and student outcomes.

In summary, the evidence base of Kidôtech is critical to  our organization to make informed decisions,  drive quality improvement, and measure the impact about the program goals, design, and implementation strategies. Furthermore, the evidence base will help us  validate the impact of Kidôtech and communicate the success to stakeholders.

After the pilot experiences, This is the best time to participate in a LEAP project as we are launching again project in January 2024. We clearly understood what we would like to achieve and how we plan to achieve it, and we need advice on the factual dimension of our solution. Our team combines many skills, but none of us is an education expert. We know that we will have the opportunity to learn from and with the LEAP experts in order to define the most appropriate tools and methods for this solution.

1- How effective is a steam education approach in improving primary school students' ability to problem solve and think creatively , and What challenges they face in managing  hands-on, project-based learning in steam education?

2- What challenges do teachers face when implementing steam education in primary school, and how can these challenges be addressed?

3-  How can steam education be effectively integrated into the primary school curriculum and What are the most effective teaching strategies and challenges ?

Demonstrate the viability and potential value of kidotech to stakeholders, users, and investors.

 Rigorous testing and quality assurance processes to identify and fix any usability issues.

 Creation of documentation, curriculum guides, and technical manuals that provide clear instructions on how to use and maintain Steam Education in primary school.

 Knowledge transfer to ensure that the expertise and understanding of  Kidotech are shared among team members and users.

 Collection and analysis of market research, and stakeholder input to gain insights into the Kidotech's strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

 Evaluation of the solution's market fit, competitive landscape, and potential scalability.

By achieving these desired outputs during the 12-week LEAP Project sprint, Kidotech can lay a solid foundation for further development, refinement, and eventual deployment in the market.

Continuous integration and regular documentations reviews will be conducted to ensure the quality and reliability of the implementation.

 Feedback from user testing(Student, teacher, school management) and quality assurance efforts will be collected, documented, and used to refine and improve the program.
  
 We will assign technical writers or documentation specialists to create comprehensive documentation, curriculum guides, and technical manuals for Kidotech.      

 We will establish a feedback collection and analysis process to gather user feedback, conduct market research, and analyze stakeholder input.

 The result will be carefully evaluated, and actionable insights will be derived to guide further development, refinement, and market strategy

The 12-week LEAP Project spring allows us to:

   Short-term 

  Organization:
        Enhance understanding and increased and better research on learning and teaching; and better development of learning variability.
     Successful completion of designated milestones and deliverables within the sprint timeframe.
        Increase knowledge sharing and skill development among team members and LEAP experts.
       Early identification and resolution of any project-related challenges or obstacles.

    Solution:
        Development of a functional proof of concept.
        Validation of key technical components and feasibility.
        Integration of core features and functionalities.
        Initial user testing and feedback to identify areas for improvement.
        Evaluation of the solution's potential market fit and viability.
       Establishment of partnerships or collaborations with relevant stakeholders or potential customers.

Long-Term Outcomes:

    Organization:
        Continued growth and expansion of the organization's initiatives.
        Successful implementation and deployment of pedagogical innovations and education policies. 
        Collaboration with external partners, such as educational institutions or industry stakeholders.
        

     Solution:
        Iterative development and refinement based on potential user feedback and market analysis.
        Full implementation and deployment of the Kidotech
        Wide adoption and positive user reception.
        Long-term sustainability, scalability, and profitability Kidotech