Learnings
As we expand to schools and libraries throughout Africa with our BLUE Box programs and throughout the rest of the developing world with the Worldreader application, we’re collecting immensely valuable data on our programs. We analyze that data and publish the results regularly. Start by discovering the three areas where we’ve had the most impact.
Our Research Reports
The State of Digital Publishing: Facts and Figures from Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria
October 2018
This paper demonstrates that publishers in African countries have started to experience the advantages of digital, like learning from data and reaching broader and more diverse audiences across borders.
Anasoma Final Report: Achieving Gender Parity in Access to Digital Reading
July 2018
This report describes the research process, methodology and critical findings that enables Worldreader, and others, to positively influence gender norms and stereotypes by exposing users to empowering content on apps.
LEAP 2.0 Final Report
July 2018
This report shows the success of LEAP 2.0 and how the national scale-up of project LEAP provided librarians across Kenya the opportunity to put their unique spin on a digital reading project.
From Pilot to Scale
July 2018
This paper outlines 5 key insights moving from pilot to country-level scale and can contribute to strengthening an effective ecosystem of technology-enriched educational programs.
Read to Kids Pilot Report
April 2018
Leveraging Mobile Technology for Parental Engagement in the Early Years. This Report shows the findings from the Read to Kids India Pilot (2015-2017).
Anasoma Mid-term Report
September 2017
This report shows the initial findings of the first sprint of the Anasoma Research aimed at identifying barriers of and drivers to female mobile readership in Kenya.
Device Durability Report
January 2017
This report shows that the new e-reader models that Worldreader has been deploying over the past 3+ years stand up to hard use.
Reading Programs in the Digital Age
January 2017
This report highlights the importance of access to books and the need for a format neutral approach to reading programs in the Global South.
Solar Solution for Digital Reading
November 2015
This report reveals that renewable energy isn’t simply keeping e-readers charged, but is re-energizing entire communities around education.
Project LEAP Final Report
April 2015
Libraries in Kenya using Worldreader e-readers with free ebooks saw monthly visits triple, revitalizing those libraries as hubs for information and knowledge.
Ghana iREAD Study 2012-2014: Final Evaluation
November 2014
Worldreader is improving reading in Africa. Early primary students read more and better after 18 months in an e-reader program, improving their literacy rates.
Project LEAP Midterm Report
September 2014
As many as 10,000 people have been impacted by Project LEAP (Libraries, E-Reading, Activities and Partnership). Free ebooks on e-readers in libraries is increasing reading in Africa.
Project LEAP: E-Readers in African Libraries with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
May 2014
The baseline report of Project LEAP (Libraries, e-Reading, Activities and Partnership) was led by Worldreader in 8 libraries in Kenya, and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. LEAP aims to improve reading in Africa.
Improving E-reader Durability
November 2013
Worldreader’s Kindles in schools loaded with free e-books are now more durable than ever. Reading in Africa is changing thanks to Worldreader.
iREAD 2 Midterm Study Results: All Children Reading in Ghana
September 2013
With e-books on e-readers provided through Worldreader’s iREAD program, this report shows that primary students doubled their reading speed and comprehension, helping them read more and read better.
iREAD 2 Baseline Report: All Children Reading
July 2013
iREAD 2 study started in January 2013 and aimed to improve literacy skills among Ghanaian primary students using Kindles in schools.
Powering Reading Using Solar Charging Kindle Cases
May 2013
Some Worldreader literacy programs are located off the electric grid entirely. Worldreader is using solar power to solve this problem and provide access to digital books to all schools.
iREAD Ghana Study: Final Evaluation Report
January 2012
USAID conducted an independent evaluation of Worldreader’s iREAD program in Ghana. The study shows that iREAD increased student literacy with improvements in oral reading fluency, reading comprehension, and positive reading habits.
iREAD Vacation School Report: Facilitating access to books during school vacation
October 2011
Worldreader helped students read during their school break, by setting up the iREAD Vacation School. Students checked out e‐readers and read in the classroom. The high level of participation showed that iREAD is increasing reading in Africa.
iREAD Progress Report: Student Training and Open Issues
December 2010
Worldreader provides Kindles in schools in Ghana through its iREAD program. E-readers and free e-books get kids to read more and become more literate.
Project iREAD: Impact on Reading of E-Readers and Digital Content
October 2010
iREAD is Worldreader’s pilot e-reading study in Ghana. The pilot study aims to give Ghana public school students access to free ebooks using e-reader technology.
E-Reader Trial Report: OrphanAid Africa School
March 2010
Worldreader launched the first e-reader project in Africa at OrphanAid Africa School in Ghana in 2010. This study evaluated the pilot program.
Other Reports
Millions Learning: Scaling up quality education in developing countries
May 2016
The report tells the story of where and how quality education has scaled in low- and middle-income countries, featuring Worldreader as a case study.
UNESCO Report: Reading in the Mobile Era
April 2014
Worldreader and its users were the subject of the first-ever study of mobile reading habits in the developing world. UNESCO surveyed 4,330 existing Worldreader users in 7 countries.
