This gift to Jamaican community centers and the Jamaican Ministry of Education is estimated of a value of over 60 millions US dollars in license fees. It comes at a time when Jamaica is entering the high tech age and also suffering the highest rate of illiteracy and semi-illiteracy in modern history. According to the latest report published last September 2005, over 500,000 young adolescents are illiterate in Jamaica. Another 500,000 young adults are semi-illiterate. That means that 1 out of 3 Jamaicans have difficulty reading and writing. Little has been done for the past 30 years to improve the basic level of literacy of our young citizens, as reminded by the JAMAL’s representative last September. JAMAL admitted on Irie FM News Broadcast on Literacy Day last September that they “couldn’t cope with the current situation”. The situation is getting critical at a time when mobile phone technology and Internet broadband offer limitless possibilities to our more educated islanders and a brand new way to energize and revitalize our fragile economy.
JSDN, Kingston - Final Delivery May 2006
Baptized Easy Skanking v1, in dedication to Bob Marley’s spirit, the new computer software features a young animated man that speaks to the students in simple words. No jargon, nor negativity are used anywhere in the program. A strong emphasis has been made by the author on positive reinforcements, simplicity and fun. The student interface looks and feels like a game interface and the program is rich in sound effects and Jamaican popular music. “I’ve lived for 4 years in Jamaica and I’ve always been fascinated by the constant presence of music. Everywhere you go, at anytime, you’ll hear loud music coming from somewhere. Children know dozens of songs before they are 5 years old. It’s fascinating. Today’s technology has no problem dealing with music. I knew from the start that Jamaicans would have no difficulties learning anything as long as it’s jamming!” said Fabrice Menoyot, creator of the software. Mr. Menoyot is the founder of Fleetstreet Publications, a publishing house now based in France and specialized in conscious reading and personal growth. He is one of the pioneers in the computer industry and has been writing computer code since 1985.
Irie FM, Kingston - Seeking Medias Support - May 2006
Easy Skanking v1 offers an Editor interface that allows teachers to create any interactive course, based on the model of the Literacy Book included. The editor can produce quickly and easily very attractive interactive lessons and training courses that bring together music, sound effects, digital pictures, animations and games. The Editor is extremely simple to use and comes with an integrated help feature that talks to the user whenever he’s called. The training time required to familiarize oneself with the software is hardly accountable for. The program is holding its name very well. It doesn’t not take long to be Easy Skanking. The program also comes with an extensive electronic help book that includes plenty of tips and advices to the teachers.
“My initial plan was to include 6 or 7 music rooms. Each music room would feature a top Jamaican artist and use their lyrics as teaching material for the students. Unfortunately, and in spite of all my efforts since the initial phase of the development in December 2004, I have not been able to meet any Jamaican artists. I received Irie FM official support immediately but waited in vain. I got exited when I met Tony Rebel. But nothing came out of our meeting. This has been my greatest disappointment. I hope that some of the Jamaican top artists will get involved now that the software is officially released and offered freely to all Jamaicans,” admitted Mr. Menoyot, just before leaving the island. “I’ve been here for 4 years, learning about Jamaica and Jamaicans. I lived in the country site most of the time and traveled all around the island. It was essential for the quality of my work to truly experience Jamaican culture. It’s time now for me to leave and take care of my own family. I wish my very best to all Jamaican teachers and children. I know it’s not easy for them. I hope that now they’ll have fun and learn the easiest way.” said Mr. Menoyot.
The electronic Literacy Book included in the software features 100’s of photos of Jamaica and displays real scenes and life situations. It offers computer training rooms that teach anything from basic computer functions to installation of memory chips, network cards, video cards, and networking. Students also learn how to send and receive Text Messages. Book 2, 3 and 4 scheduled to be released in the near future will include training for Internet e-mail and surfing, government forms such as driver license and passport applications, tax forms and basic filling documents, as well as cultural sections about Jamaica and the West Indies. “This is a program specially designed for Jamaicans. It’s full of sound effects and music. It talks to you, even uses patois at times. All voices were recorded in Kingston. There is nothing like this anywhere else!” explained Mr. Menoyot.
“This is an on going project. I am only providing the tool and opening a new door. The future starts here and now. This is a perfect time for Jamaica, now that we are entering the Technology Age. It is also time to update our schools and old teaching methods, and use new exciting tools that today’s computer technology offers. They are 100’s of computers been unused all over Jamaican schools and community centers. And there are 1000’s of young Jamaicans that need to be cared for. This is the start of a new day. I invite all Jamaican teachers to join our efforts and bring exciting new learning tools to the children. It’s time to move forward in the name of our children.” said Fabrice Menoyot.
During our interview with Mr. Menoyot, the author of Easy Skanking v1 challenged international corporations such as Microsoft, Dell, HP and all major computer manufacturers to provide immediate help and assistance to the Jamaican people with the donation of free computers. “Shipping 20 or 30,000 refurbished computers and spreading them island wide would help these corporations save a lot of money in taxes. The production cost of today’s computers is ridiculously low. What’s one million US dollar in computer equipment for companies like Microsoft and Dell computers? Everyone in Jamaica is going to end up, sooner or later, purchasing a computer. Nobody looses here. I challenge these companies to invest in free education in Jamaica, and any where it is needed. Look at what one small fish like me can do. Imagine what a big fish like Dell which sell lots of computers here in Jamaica can do!” challenged Mr. Menoyot.
Developed with the assistance of a team of 3 Jamaican teachers who are specialized in Literacy training, the new Literacy Book in currently under final revision. Teachers island wide and from any field and background are invited to contact the JSDN in Kingston [89 1/2 Half Way Tree Road, Kingston 10 - Tele: (876) 968-0323] and join the team of teachers that will expand the current book and create additional interactive courses for Basic and Primary schools, as well as Adult and Continuing Education. The JSDN offers free training and will provide free copies of the computer program at no charge.
