Local firm brings in interactive learning tools for kids

A screenshot from the multimedia based education publication on the solar system and planet earth by Shailee Digital Prokashoni (SDP), top, and a similar menu from another publication, left, containing basic information on transportation system for children

It is only through presentation of graphical illustration 66 percent of people, especially the youngsters who are still at the learning stages, can grasp message easily while exhibited via computer-animated exhibition.

Shailee Digital Prokashoni, a local software development firm attempted such an effort through multiple publications of digitally mastered compact disc (CD). The contents of these explicitly converge onto delivering such measures towards meeting computational education for the nation's youngsters, availing them with a superior learning environment.

"I started off working on software-animation related projects under Shailee from 1997, after returning from India with a degree on film-making I gradually found out what I really wanted to do with my capability," Masudur Rahman CEO of Shailee said referring to how he stepped into the making of such publications on digital contents to provide youngsters with a computer-phase on replacing learning procedurals that were being followed throughout the nation for years.

Rahman mentioned how other countries have taken their kids to trends so close to the desktops or laptops that by the age of three a Korean or Japanese kid knows a lot more about the computer he or she is working on. This is not because of what its teaching the kid, but because what the kid is learning about the machine while in a learning environment through multimedia presentations. This also accelerates the process of learning the elements of any basic education. "If they can do it, why can't we? And it was worth a shot," Rahman said.

Recently Shailee came up with seven CDs, mostly work of Flash or Max3DStudio, which are running successfully not only throughout the metropolitan cities but also throughout the nation.

"We get calls from Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, or whichever district you name, and quick deliveries of the CDs are asked for. I wish I could really go visit these rural areas to see and how they are making use of our multimedia contents," Rahman told The Daily Star.

Shailee's first attempt was called 'Shishupath', a Flash-based presentation which was released on 2000. Its contents ranged from basic mathematics, children rhymes, colours, Bengali and English alphabets, word making, introduction to the human body and introduction to one's family. The CD is still being sold throughout the nation. Overcoming the static friction was not easy for Shailee.

"I recall running around with handful of these CDs through the local markets, trying to make the retailers comprehend how much effort I had to put in making these CDs and how I am trying to make a difference. It was hard to convince retailers and show them my point of view and give them the idea of a futuristic vision!" exclaimed Rahman.

After 'Shishupath', Shailee produced another educational CD titled 'Manchitro', divided in two sub-divisions, Bangladesh and rest of the world countries. Manchitro had introduction to states and districts along with each nation's national anthem playing as a background melody. "I believe such a content is one of its kind where you will find all the countries' info and national anthems in one place. It has a prospect to become an international product, but the venture is yet to be embarked upon," stated Rahman.

Follow-up products were made in a bid to develop more such interactive juvenile-focusing multimedia on topics such as environmental science, religious teaching. It had contents range from introduction Arabic alphabets, introduction to God and his messengers, to all five calls of prayers. Bigyan Parba-1, includes introduction to the solar system and its planets, the outer space, gravity, weight and mass, etc. Chhuti'r Diney, an animated cartoon production, consists six different stories and characterisations while exhibiting amazing colour combination and local scenarios from the country's metros.

Shailee is currently working on two projects for the local buyers, one with singing lessons and the other with lessons for traditional dancing. "We believe these two will put in a pioneering step into the procedural and traditional techniques used on giving the trainees their lessons on songs and dances and thus creating an enhanced interactive multimedia user-friendly environment. Benefiting both the teachers and the trainees," stated Rahman.

"We wish to achieve more in the local IT world and add layers to it but piracy is one thing that needs to be put on hold by strict law enforcement," Rahman said citing how he came to know about people making phone calls to retailers using his name and SDP as their company, thus claiming their products to be genuine SDP multimedia. "Some people even show up in the local market with my name and try to sell-off our tags on their products, which are of course lower on quality," Rahman added.