Southern Methodist University (SMU) Guildhall, SMU Simmons School of Education and Human Development and Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT) have joined up and formed People ForWords to participate in the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPrize. Together they are linking their expertise in game development, education and adult literacy to build an immersive fun mobile application that will advance the Adult Literacy industry.
SMU Guildhall is a premier graduate video game education program, ranked #1 Graduate School for Video Game Design, and first in the world to offer a Master of Interactive Technology degree. We also offer a Professional Certificate, and are the only program with specializations in all four cornerstones of video game development: Art Creation, Level Design, Production and Programming.
The Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development promotes excellence by engaging in and disseminating scientifically-based research, preparing exemplary professionals in education and human development, collaborating with other schools and institutions in the development of model programs and furthering positive learning experiences in all stages of life.
LIFT is the only adult literacy provider in the Metroplex serving very low-literate adults. Beginning with basic phonics, our programs are designed to address the needs of many different kinds of learners.
In October, SMU Guildhall, SMU Simmons and LIFT all came together to start discussing how to participate in the Adult Literacy XPRIZE.
People ForWords is formed, and the development team begins ramping up.
Development team is assembled and technology has been selected. Game Development is now in full swing!
Codex: Lost Words of Atlantis Closed Beta Begins.
SMU Simmons, Guildhall, and LIFT wish to acknowledge the Communities Foundation of Texas for its grant to develop People ForWords’ smartphone game for competition in the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE.
Codex: Lost Words of Atlantis Pilot Testing with local literacy groups.
Codex: Lost Words of Atlantis Submitted to XPRIZE.
Codex: Lost Words of Atlantis was selected as a semifinalist for Adult Literacy XPRIZE.
This time we concentrated our research on native Spanish speakers wanting to learn English. "Before I was able to understand a little and I couldn't speak. But now I can speak more."
After an additional 5 months of development, Codex: Lost Words of Atlantis was submitted for the Adult Literacy XPRIZE Finals
PeopleForWords makes the finals! Our team is one of five finalists in the Adult Literacy XPRIZE competition. The winners will be announced January, 2019.
Codex: Lost Words of Atlantis was featured on Google's Play Store!
Development Lead
Instructional Design
President and CEO, LIFT
Literacy Specialist
Artist
Artist
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
Design/Scripting
Programmer
Education Specialist
Asst Dean/XPRIZE Liaison
Programmer
Programmer
Programmer
Programmer
Programmer
Programmer
Producer
Producer
Dean of Simmons
Director of Marketing and Communications LIFT
Chief Development Officer LIFT
PeopleForWords would like to thank founding members, Lisa Hembry, LIFT President Emerita, and Dr. David Chard, former dean of SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development, for starting our collaboration, and getting us to compete for The Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE Prize.
LIFT President Emerita
Former Dean of SMU's Simmons School of Education and Human Development