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 Benefits of Digital Reading for Vulnerable Families in crisis Settings

The Benefits of Digital Reading for Vulnerable Families in crisis Settings

November 2019
This report shares the findings from the Tuta Tuta project in Jordan. Launched in February 2017 and funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the program aimed to promote frequent reading by parents and caregivers to Syrian refugee children. Read the Report

The State of Digital Publishing: Facts and Figures from Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria

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. Read the Report

ANASOMA: Achieving Gender Parity in Access to Digital Reading

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. Read the Report

LEAP 2.0 Final Report

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. Read the Report

Pilot to Scale

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 the Report

Read to Kids Pilot Report

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). Read the Report

Anasoma Mid-term Report

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. Read the Report

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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. Read the Report

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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. Read the Report

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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. Read the Report

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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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

iREAD Study

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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

Project LEAP Midterm Report

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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

Project LEAP Baseline Report

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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

Cover of Worldreader's Improving E-reader Durability

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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

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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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

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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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

Cover of Worldreader's Powering Reading Using Solar Charging Kindle Cases

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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

Cover of Worldreader's iREAD Ghana Study

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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

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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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

Cover of Worldreader's iREAD Progress Report

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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

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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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

Cover of Worldreader's E-reader Trial Report

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. Read the Report

Executive Summary

Other Reports

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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. Read the Report

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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. Read the Report

Executive Summary