Teaching children to code through play
Fun, interactive and inclusive games.
Tangible introduces children to coding concepts via games that are simple to understand and entertaining to play. Our multi-stage mobile platform is purposefully designed to facilitate group problem solving and promote digital competancy.
Blending offline
and online learning
Tangible Games combine tactile offline tools and online mobile gaming components to provide a playing experience that is physically engaging, mentally stimulating and digitally immersive.
Offline
Coding Tokens and Grid Mat
Learners select the coding tokens to use (from the set provided) to solve the problem depicted on the mobile screen. They place their tokens on the grid matt in their desired sequence.
Online
Mobile Phone App
Learners take a photo of their coding token sequence (with a mobile phone) and upload it to the app. The action they coded is then visually interpreted on the screen.
A world of benefits
Tangible games are proven to be effective in the development of:
Accessible to everyone, everywhere
Specifically designed to be playable by children living in “unplugged” communities, Tangible games make learning the concepts of coding accessible to children anywhere in the world. Even children living in rural communities without basic access to computers, internet or even electricity, can now be introduced to coding.
NO COMPUTER REQUIRED
NO INTERNET REQUIRED
NO ELECTRICITY REQUIRED
120K
Learners
500
Schools
25
Countries
Designed for
schools
Tangible Africa games use affordable tools that teachers and facilitators without programming experience can easily implement in their classrooms. Our games are specifically designed to encourage class interaction and inspire group problem-solving.
Your Questions,
Answered
- Do I need to have prior coding experience to be involved with this project?
No! Tangible Africa makes coding accessible to everyone. Our Tangible Teacher Training prepares you with everything you need to know in as little as 4 hours.
- How do I purchase a coding kit?
Send an email to orders@levafoundation.org to start the process.
- How do we get training?
Our comprehensive online training is available here: Tangible Africa Teacher Training (ctrl + k)
- How much does a kit cost?
A coding kit costs R3500. The Tangible unplugged coding kit starts at R3500. Speak with us if you are from an under resourced school.
- How do we get involved in the Coding4Mandela Tournament?
Show your interest and get involved in the Coding4Mandela Tournament by following this link: (attach link to 2024 show of interest form) if form is closed, then email info@levafoundation.org
Connecting children through code to their...
- Potential
Problem solving abilities and new skills and talents
- Community
Sharing their new knowledge of code and digital proficiency with others.
- School
Fun and engaging classroom activities and experiences.
- Friends
Solving problems and working together creating positive, shared experiences
- World
Acquisition of a skill that embraces digital capabilities & global technology
Computational Thinking
The cultivation of computational thinking is central to Tangible games. This invaluable problem-solving method teaches learners automation of process and using computing to explore, analyse and understand processes.
DECOMPOSITION
Break ideas and problems, into smaller more manageable parts.
PATTERN RECOGNITION
Identify any repeatingsequences and focus on what is important
ABSTRACTION
Remove unnecessary parts and make one solution work for multiple problems.
ALGORITHM DESIGN
Create simple step-by-step instruction.
Founding Story
Tangible was born in 2017 when Byron Batteson, a 21-year-old student, created the TANKS app for his Honours project at Mandela University. Recognizing its potential, Professor Jean Greyling, head of the Computing Sciences Department, transformed the idea into a full operation.
This venture started as a university engagement project and showcases the power of student-teacher collaboration. Byron is now with Amazon in Cape Town, while Prof. Greyling continues to lead Tangible and inspire students.
Following TANKS, Tangible launched two more apps, RANGERS and BOATS, impacting thousands worldwide, from Ghana to Ireland.
