AUCKLAND, Thursday: Colenso BBDO’s Spark Kupu, the breakthrough mobile app that helps people learn Te Reo Māori by translating photos of objects around them, has been upgraded.
Kupu 2.0 includes some several enhancements for 2019 – generated from Spark’s relationship with Te Aka Māori Dictionary and Google.
The enhancements include My Kupu, a feature that lets users save their favourite translations and set push notifications so they’re repeatedly prompted to learn a new word throughout the day. Kupu’s also now optimised for use on tablet and desktop as a web app, making the app an even more powerful learning tool especially in classrooms.
Spark’s Māori strategy lead Lisa Paraku says the launch of a desktop and tablet-friendly version comes off the back of overwhelming requests from teachers nationwide who have been wanting to use the app across a broad range of devices within schools.
“The enhancements mean more teachers will be able to use Kupu as an educational tool and readily incorporate Te Reo Māori learning into their lessons with the use of smart technology – something we know our tamariki have embraced,” she said.
“The launch of a desktop and tablet-friendly version comes off the back of overwhelming requests from teachers nationwide.”
Dr Dean Mahuta of Te Aka Māori Dictionary and senior lecturer at AUT, says the app has helped showcase how technology can play a role in keeping te reo Māori thriving by making it available across different means of communication.
“Integrating the push notification capability on the Kupu mobile app is a great step to empower individuals to keep up their journey of learning Te Reo Māori,” he said. “Repetition is a technique frequently used for learning and in the context of language, learning new material can be enhanced through spaced repetition and practice.”
Originally launched this time last year by Spark in conjunction with Colenso, Te Aka Māori Dictionary and Google, the original app has had 177,000 downloads, 2.7 million translated images and around 6000 daily users since the start of Māori Language Week 2019.
Kupu is powered by Google Cloud Vision technology, combined with Te Aka Māori Dictionary translations.
Colenso CD Mike Davison said: “Bite-sized language learning that fits our daily habits is the benefit.” “But the long-term collaboration with the best technology, Māori language and digital platform experts our country has – that’s what has made this project humbling and memorable.”
CREDITS
Client: Spark
Agency: Colenso BBDO
Partners: Te Aka Māori Dictionary and Google
Production Company: Assembly
Sound Design: Franklin Rd
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