Aboriginal Start-Up Launches Wingaru Kids

Wingaru Kids is an interactive education platform designed to assist with the delivery of Aboriginal studies to all primary school students. The platform is based on a Watch, Learn and Play format and includes custom animations, interactive activities and engaging games.

The platform features over 60 lessons, complete with videos, interactive activities and comprehensive support for teachers. Each lesson is matched to curriculum outcomes from individual state curriculums as well as the Australian curriculum. ‘It’s amazing’ said Talara Freeman, Aboriginal Education and Engagement Officer. ‘This will make teaching Aboriginal perspectives a lot easier. It provides so much Aboriginal content in one place.’

The digital learning tool was created by husband and wife team, Javier and Lesley Woodhouse. Lesley, a proud Darug woman, is passionate about the role that education plays in improving outcomes for Aboriginal people and reconciliation. “In my opinion true reconciliation and improved outcomes for Aboriginal people can’t happen without education for all Australians. There are many programs aimed at Aboriginal people but very little to improve the wider community’s understanding of Aboriginal culture and Australia’s true history. How can we see real and sustained change without also improving the understanding of the wider community?” said Ms Woodhouse.

The technology for Wingaru Kids was built by Javier Woodhouse, who also created the original Mathletics software. “Digital resources are an important part of the classroom” said Mr Woodhouse, “Wingaru Kids opens up a variety of learning opportunities that may not have been available to all students before now”.

Wingaru Kids has been met with positive reviews including an endorsement by the Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) ‘Wingaru Kids is a great concept, it is very engaging and user friendly. Kids are going to love it’ said Judith Peen, from the Coffs Harbour AECG.

‘This meets outcomes from a number of key learning areas - from Geography to PDHD. It's certainly going to make life easier.' Amelia Coleman, Teacher

"I hope my kids school gets this. As a non-Aboriginal parent, I'd love to see my kids 
have more access to quality Aboriginal education" Natasha O'Connor, Parent

"l showed the lesson to a group of kids and was amazed at how enthralled they were. This is a resource that schools want” Loraine Humphreys, School Community Liaison.

Subscriptions for the 2017 school year are available now. Schools Australia wide are offered discounted early bird subscriptions via the Wingaru Education website www.wingaru.com.au.