To address the public and private school closures in, ARSOME Technology Group of Manchester, CT, and Brooke Aiello, the Author and Illustrator of Tolerance Tykes, launched an augmented reality version of the series, aimed to promote diversity and inclusion in and out of the classroom. This three-book children’s series is an effective learning tool designed for children ages six through twelve, but parents will also quickly engage and connect with its powerful message.
“The final decision to close schools across the United States for the rest of the year due to COVID-19 presents an opportunity to better equip parents with digital and interactive learning tools,” said Benjamin D. Williams, CEO and Co-Founder, ARSOME Technology. “Through augmented reality storytelling, Tolerance Tykes promotes a fun and educational collaboration between parent and child. The book triggers important conversations about “difference” in our society.”
Tolerance Tykes Book 1 has augmented reality functionality and comes with a free iOS/Android mobile application that triggers the augmented reality experience from the book’s page. The series is sold on Amazon and by selected re-sellers. Each book introduces ten unique characters that share a special message to the reader about a physical, social, emotional, or mental challenge they faced, and how they met and overcame it. Examples of these challenges include stuttering, physical disability, childhood disease, abuse, obesity, and being bullied over issues of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender-orientation.
Now more than ever it is important that our youth have engaging learning tools. Immersive 3D audio-visual content has characters “jumping” off the page and teaching important lessons about tolerance and hope.
Terry D. Williams, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified School Psychologist who has worked in Vernon and New Britain Schools. Currently he is the Director of Motivation at ARSOME Technology. He had this to say about the launch: “By coupling the educational and entertaining tools of Tolerance Tykes, we get closer to the goal of enhancing a child’s motivation to learn more about and appreciate the challenges endured by many of their peers.”
Augmented reality inspires more student engagement, and students learn deeper by using it. This positively affects and impacts the conventional learning process - a win for parents, teachers, and students.
My vision for Tolerance Tykes is to make this an effective educational tool for children throughout Connecticut,” said Brooke Aiello, author of Tolerance Tykes. ARSOME’s augmented reality and knowledge of motivational learning techniques is extremely beneficial to the future of the Tolerance Tykes brand. I hope that children can feel connected to the characters in the book and learn to become accepting of everyone.”
“I’ve spent nearly twenty years in Connecticut’s Education System and haven’t seen a better learning tool than augmented reality technology. It’s engaging, immersive and definitely effective,” said David Oyanadel, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Founder, ARSOME Technology.
“Partnering with ARSOME to bring these characters to life and introducing them in augmented reality has been a dream come true for me and all the kids in Connecticut,” said Brooke. “Given this time of financial difficulty, we look forward to donating copies of Book 1 to selected organizations in the Hartford area.”
ARSOME Technology is a Connecticut based software development company specializing in immersive technology and strategic partnerships. The Founders, David and Benjamin met at Eastern Connecticut State University and started the company in 2016. At the time David, was Benjamin’s Information Systems Professor and Benjamin was a senior at the university. Since its birth, ARSOME Technology has launched successful products and Divisions, most notably ARSOME Health.
