Using the mathematics in ditaola to promote a culture of reading and research in Botswana

| Monday May 26, 2014 14:05

I have been working hard to use the mathematics in ditaola for some good. I worked with the editors of the US based Journal of Math and Culture to describe the mathematics in ditaola. You can read the description in the JMC Newsletter 7.1 on page 24 at http://nasgem.rpi.edu/.

The mathematics in ditaola has also been brought to the attention of experts in coding and computer science. The Editor-in-Chief of the Computer Journal, a key Computer Science journal in Britain said the code in ditaola is very interesting. He said it is similar to the mathematical model of  how the DNA code can code for proteins. I was very happy to have a coding expert acknowledge the code.

I am happy to announce that I have used this amazing mathematics in ditaola to code for the alphabet therefore allowing ditaola to spell words.

It is very similar to how DNA codes for  the 20 or so Amino Acids with a three bit code, for example TTC codes for the amino acid phenylalanine  (F). The ditaola code is similar but it is actually a four bit code and can be used in a similar manner to code for the twenty six letters of the alphabet. In ditaola code decoration 1, decoration 3, decoration 4 and no decoration  (1340) can be used to represent a letter of the alphabet like S.

Once I was able to make ditaola spell words in any language you can write with the alphabet I decided to create a simple game using this ditaola technology. The game is called “What are the tablets Saying”.

I was able to find an American company that allows game inventors to make their games and sell them online.

 

A game that hopes to promote a culture of reading and research in the young people of Botswana

‘What are the tablets saying’, is a very simple game. You do not need to understand the mathematics of the code to play the game.

You have one minute to memorise which decoration is 1, which decoration is 2, which decoration is 3 and which decoration is 4. This is called memorising a key.

After one minute you turn to the page you are directed to turn to. You will find a word written in ditaola and a decoding chart. You have to remember the key in order to decode the word. Each booklet of ‘What are the tablets saying’ has a topic of focus. The first booklet which is available for sale focuses on some of the main rivers in Africa. You memorise the key at the key page then go to the specified decoding page to decode. The coded word will be one of the main rivers of Africa. Once you have figured out the word you turn the page to read interesting facts about that African river. The interesting facts do not mention the name of the river.

If you fail to decode the word you will have to use the interesting facts to research at the library or on the internet to try to find out the name of the river.

Only a few facts are  given therefore you have to read more about the river at a library or on the internet to encourage a culture of reading and research in our young people. Parents can ask children what more they learned about the rivers to encourage our young people to be active in seeking out more  information on their own.

I am currently working on the second booklet which focuses on some of the interesting trees of Africa.

The booklet will provide scientific names of the trees therefore young people can impress their parents by naming the scientific names of trees like Morula and Mophane once they have worked through the booklet. My love of reading and independent research led me to the discovery of the code in ditaola.

Who knows what amazing discoveries children can make if they are encouraged to love reading and independent learning from late primary school. Parents and adults can play the game to test their memories so the game is not just for young people.

What are the tablets saying

is available online

The first booklet is available online at https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/what-are-the-tablets-saying-. Anyone in Botswana with a Visa card or MasterCard can order the booklet online at this link and it will arrive in less than a month. I received my copy this week which was exciting! I do realise that shipping will make the booklets too expensive for most parents therefore I hope local publishers will consider getting in touch with me to publish the booklets locally and bring the price down. Any interested publisher can contact me at whatarethetabletssaying@gmail.com.

 

Be the driver of

innovation in Botswana

I hope Batswana with the means will consider buying a booklet or two. If we want innovation to flourish in Botswana we have to create a demand for local innovations. We can create the demand by showing young people that if they create an innovative product that is of a high quality they will get good sales. Once young people see that good innovation is rewarded well, then they will have an incentive to sit down and come up with high quality innovations. Before long we will have great innovations in education, science and technology.

 

Dithapelo Medupe