Agavi: Offline Digital Learning for Ukraine

Greetings all,

We are happy to report that the first version of an Agavi demo was delivered a couple of months ago, with the ability to build simple lessons.  Since then, we have been iterating on this design to expand this version into a fully fledged system with the ability to build lessons with all the inputs teachers are familiar, along with phone-based instruments for navigating fieldsites using GPS and compass sensors, and allowing for branching pathways to build truly adaptive field activities.  We'll be wrapping up this work in the next few weeks, after which project partners Giane and João will be presenting the work (and associated research on digital platforms and teacher attitudes towards digital tools) at the ICETOL teacher conference in Germany.  Starting in September, we will begin field testing with teachers in Ukraine to get feedback on the design and layout, usability in remote areas, and student reactions.

Additional good news:  Science Voices partner Dr. Ihor Bubniak of Lviv Polytechnic has received a prestigious Fulbright fellowship to spend a year at Arizona State University, working closely with their geoscience digital education group.  During this time, he'll acquire new contacts and digital teaching experience which he will bring back to his fellow professors in Ukraine.  We're also planning on reaching out to other ASU projects working on education in digital deserts to help assist with learning in war-torn regions of Ukraine in 2027.

As always, thank you for your continued support of our work.  We know it's been a long road, and we're finally arriving.

With gratitude,

Lev