New approach to study in the UAE

Dubai: Gaming and films may be taboo in schools but Eureka, a concept of education that draws on their appeal, appears to be catching on as a tool for teaching across institutions in the UAE.

Iqbal Seddiqi, Director of Designmate, the company behind the concept, told XPRESS that Eureka, which comprises a library of 8,500 animation films with dynamic provisions for simulation, gaming and interaction, has been adopted by five schools and two colleges, including the College of Medicine, Sharjah, and Zayed University, Dubai, so far. "We are hoping to reach out to many more institutions," he said.

He said Eureka, aimed at teaching maths and science, comprised 5,700 films specifically tailored to meet the requirements of Indian curriculums like CBSE and ICSE for grades I to XII, and 1,200 in accordance with the IGCSE, IB and American curriculums for grades VI to XII. "The 1,200 films are available in Arabic as well," he said, adding that users could opt for a bilingual option.

"We have developed around 400 3D films which have a huge wow factor among children," said Seddiqi, adding that Eureka had been adopted by 2,500 schools in nine countries worldwide.

"Following the gaming industry is an interesting pursuit as they do a lot of research on what interests a child," said Seddiqi, who referred to today's children as digital natives, unlike the digital migrants or aliens of the past.

Significantly, 67 per cent of the production team at Designmate, which is based in Ahmedabad, India, consists of special needs people, he said. The company consists of 250 employees, including 40 subject specialists, he added.