In today’s fast-paced world, engaging young people in meaningful education can be a challenge. However, chatbots like FunDoo are making strides in transforming learning into an interactive experience.
Recently, Saevion McFadden, a 22-year-old youth advocate from the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) and a first-year law student at the Norman Manley Law School had the opportunity to interact with FunDoo, an innovative chatbot designed to educate and engage young people. He tried out the task on immunization. His initial expectations were simple: an informative yet interactive tool. However, FunDoo exceeded his expectations in ways he hadn't anticipated.
FunDoo is supported by UNICEF through a donation from the Canada Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE) to address vaccine misinformation and to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to promote vaccine acceptance.
Initial Impressions and Expectations
Saevion’s first thoughts on FunDoo were centered on its educational and interactive nature. He anticipated that the bot would not only provide information but also engage users in a vibrant way. “I wanted it to be something that I and other young people could feel a kind of vibrancy out of it,” he explains. To his delight, FunDoo surpassed his expectations, offering an engaging experience that kept him actively involved throughout the tasks.
Navigating the Content
Understanding the content was a breeze for Saevion. He appreciated that the questions and statements were direct and to the point and the information easily digestible. “I felt like FunDoo... was one that even if you were in primary school, you would be able to understand,” he notes. This accessibility is crucial, ensuring that users from various educational backgrounds can learn effectively without feeling overwhelmed or bored.
From limited knowledge to new insights
Before using FunDoo, Saevion chuckles as he explains that he had a simplistic understanding of immunization, viewing it merely as a preventive shot. However, after completing the immunization task, his perspective shifted dramatically, and he was now proud of the depth of knowledge he had gained. He learned that immunization is an ongoing process, with continuous research and improvements being made by doctors. “I didn’t know there was an influenza vaccine,” he admits.
Empowering Conversations and Decision-Making
Armed with newfound knowledge, Saevion feels more confident discussing immunization with his peers. “I definitely think there is a certain agency that I am receiving,” he says, and he feels more empowered to share information effectively having learned so much from the FunDoo task. This sense of agency is vital, as it encourages young people to engage in conversations that can impact their health and the health of their communities. He feels that the more educated young people are through chatbots like FunDoo, the more they will make sound and clear decisions about their bodies, social behaviour and interactions with other people.
Making Informed Choices
The task also prompted Saevion to reflect on his own immunization status and that of the people he cares about like his family and friends. He expressed a newfound urgency to explore necessary vaccinations, especially the influenza vaccine. Reflecting on the information he now has about the Covid vaccine as well, Saevion felt that he would be more comfortable to persuade his family to get the vaccine now.
A recommendation for youth
And would he recommend FunDoo to other young people? Saevion’s answer was a resounding “Absolutely!” He recognized that the platform respects young people's time, delivering information in a quick yet thorough manner. This engaging approach is essential in capturing the attention of a generation known for its short attention span. “FunDoo allows you to learn something in a quick manner that you don’t even realise that you’re learning,” he explains while adding that he saw that he could go on to learn lots of new information. “So that was very exciting to me. And I felt like that was something young people would appreciate as well,” he points out.
The Ripple Effect of Knowledge
Saevion emphasized the importance of sharing the information learned through FunDoo and the potential for a ripple effect in spreading knowledge within communities. “The chatbot tries to target topics that are very important and that directly affect young people,” he says. “So it is very easy to want to spread the word based on the information that you get and I feel that’s the usefulness, because you take the information and then you use that information to tell it, even if its two of your friends that are near you and those two friends would tell their friends and you see the word spreading and we have a better understanding of the issue as a people,” he explains.
Conclusion
Saevion McFadden’s experience with FunDoo illustrates the power of interactive learning in empowering young people. As they navigate important topics like immunization, platforms like FunDoo not only educate but also instill a sense of agency and responsibility. By fostering discussions and encouraging informed decision-making, we can pave the way for a healthier, more knowledgeable generation. FunDoo serves as an inspiring example of how technology can transform education and engagement in meaningful ways ensuring a refreshing approach to learning.
