TechBridgeWorld

Dear Friends of TechBridgeWorld:

We have been contemplating the evolution of TechBridgeWorld’s work for a while now, and after considerable careful thought, we have come to the conclusion that it is time for the members of TechBridgeWorld to pursue new endeavors outside the university that build on the accomplishments and lessons learned from our research. TechBridgeWorld will therefore be closing its doors at the end of the Spring 2016 semester.

We would like to thank everyone who has been involved with TechBridgeWorld, whether you were a student, visiting researcher, staff member, donor, project partner, CMU colleague, advisor, volunteer, well-wisher, etc. We are confident that together, we have contributed to a better future where technology can bridge divides rather than exacerbate them.
For a summary of our projects and accomplishments and links to publications, please visit: https://techbridgeworld.wordpress.com/. To learn more about TechBridgeWorld’s impact among partners, students, alumni, and donors over the years, please visit: https://techbridgeworld.wordpress.com/impact/.

Thanks for following us!
--Bernardine and Ermine

TechBridgeWorld 2004 - 2016: Technology with a Global Heart

Carnegie Mellon University recently featured iSTEP TechBridgeWorld in the news! They featured the open source release of iSTEP 2015 software tools - SignBook and Speak Up! http://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2015/september/istep-software.html

The software tools were developed by the iSTEP 2015 team in partnership with the Mathru Educational Trust for the Blind's Center for the Deaf and Differently-Abled. SignBook allows teachers to create a local database of animations depicting a sign and is used to support new teachers and staff in learning the local sign language. Speak Up! is a suite of voice-powered games that encourages students to vocalize and to exercise the volume and pitch of their voice. We encourage you to download and use these tools!

http://www.techbridgeworld.org/istep/downloads.html

Software Helps Create Sign Language Dictionaries, Voice-activated Games for Hearing Impaired... Carnegie Mellon University’s TechBridgeWorld research group today announced the release of open source software that can help educators of children with hearing disabilities create video dictionaries of sign languages and use games that encourage vocalization by children learning to speak.

If you are at ICRA 2015 join the inaugural Developing Countries Forum tomorrow (May 29)! TechBridgeWorld Founder and Director Bernardine Dias, TechBridgeWorld Advisory Board member Ayorkor Korsah, and Chinwe Ekenna are organizing the forum: http://icra2015.org/…/11-conf…/37-developing-countries-forum

Developing Countries Forum - ICRA 2015 Developing Countries Forum Friday, May 29WSCC 604 Interest in robotics is increasing in many parts of the world, and developing countries are no exception. From research projects aimed at developing novel robotic systems for unique challenges, to education and outreach programs that use robotics to…

Our very own Braille Tutor project is featured on the Developing World Robotics website, which is part of the ICRA 2015 conference in Seattle, Washington. Check out this website to learn more about robotics in developing countries.

http://www.developingworldrobotics.org/

Developing World Robotics | The TechBridgeWorld research group at Carnegie Mellon University developed the Braille Writing Tutor and the Stand-Alone Braille Writing Tutor to help blind children learn the slate and stylus method of writing braille.