Exploring and Co-designing emerging technologies to enhance the reading experience of Namibian children.

Technology is rapidly changing bringing some excitement and creativity to today’s reading experiences. Investing in a Tech Library can embrace innovations in technology providing users with enhancements in electronic books along with new forms of communication such as noticeboard. Particularly in developed countries libraries are not eliminated instead they’re being redesigned to accommodate the students of the 21st century. While in Namibia most Namibian public school libraries are utilized as storages which worsen the reading culture. The aims of the study is to characterise the current reading experiences for children in Namibia, learn what other countries are doing to improve the children’s’ reading experiences worldwide, how can we translate children’s aspirations into implementable designs? And thirdly what are the most appropriate technological tools to improve reading experiences of children in Namibia? Our research have begun a collaboration with People’s Primary school a public school in Windhoek to re design and implement an interactive Tech Library to enhance reading experiences of Namibian children. Between June and November 2017, 19 learners participated in weekly participatory design workshops to redesign their own school library. During the weekly workshops, we explored emerging technologies, redesigned the reading space, co-designed reading technology tools to enhance reading experiences for children, utilized persona creation and engaged different stakeholders. The research utilised a mixed methodology involving qualitative and quantitative data gathering and a participatory design approach.