Keep the Learning Spark Alive this Summer with Accessible Digital Textbooks!

“I always wanted to ensure that teaching impacts learning… I believe ADTs have the potential to transform our students’ learning experiences,” says Tamika Thompson, Vice Principal of Southborough Primary in St. Catherine, Jamaica. 

Educators like Ms. Thompson are driven by a deep commitment to reach every child, catering to their different learning styles and abilities. In classrooms across Jamaica, teachers are embracing technology as a tool and a bridge to more inclusive, equitable learning, ensuring no student is left behind. 

Accessible Digital Textbooks (ADTs) are inclusive teaching and learning tools designed to reach every learner, including children with disabilities. These digital storybooks offer a range of accessibility features such as audio narration, sign language videos, screen reader navigation as well as adjustable fonts and text sizes, glossary tools, and synchronized text highlighting. With engaging activities built right into the storybooks, children can read, play, and learn at their own pace. 

Each story in this inclusive series is written and illustrated by local authors and artists, under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and aligned with Jamaica’s lower primary school curriculum. Jamaica is proud to be the first country to integrate ADTs into its Learning Passport platform. 

Unlike traditional textbooks, which offer limited interactivity, ADTs bring stories to life with multisensory elements, allowing learners to interact with videos, audio, and quizzes all within one digital space. Children can modify their reading experience to match their needs and learning preference.  

Summer Spark Challenge: Learning Made Fun 

This summer, for the third year in a row, the Jamaica Country Office (JCO) is inviting children in Grades 1 to 3 to join the Summer Spark Challenge, an eight-week adventure featuring eight of the 12 ADTs that area available on the Learning Passport. 

Each week, children and parents can find short, fun, math-based word problems posted on the social media platforms of @unicefjamaica, @earlychildhoodcommission; @moesyijamaica. For the first time, the challenge features characters from the ADT series and includes QR codes that link directly to their stories on the Learning Passport. 

Children who complete all eight reading challenges and storybooks can take a short quiz for a chance to win prizes!  

Easy Access, Any Time of Year 

Parents and teachers can access the ADTs year-round by visiting the Jamaica Learning Passport. After creating a free account, scroll to the Accessible Digital Textbooks section and dive into titles like: 

• Harriet the Hen
• My Brain is My Boss
• Big and Strong
• Hide and Seek
• I Am Growing
• School Rules 
  ...and many more. 

Register, select a course, and click the link to start reading. 

Why It Matters 

ADTs on the Learning Passport will help children stay engaged during the holidays and also build digital literacy and promote inclusive education. With everything in one place, it has never been easier to support your child’s learning. School may be out, but you can still find that spark in learning, catch up or even get ahead!  

Parents and Teachers! Let’s beat the summer slide together. Sign up on the Jamaica Learning Passport, and spark a love for learning all summer long and beyond.