Bubble is helping a Belfast school, with pupils from over 20 different countries, by tapping into technology to allow parents and pupils from overseas to access information about education in their own language. We produced and deployed a Speechbubble multilingual touch screen kiosk, the first of its kind at any school in Northern Ireland, to guide parents through the process of getting their children into the school system and into Botanic Primary School. We used a blend by creating some of our trademark ‘characters’ for users to identify with, along with photos of buildings, pupils and key people in the school, who they may need to meet with to make users feel instantly at ease. “Over 40 per cent of our pupils come from overseas and some parents arrive at the school door not having any English, and not knowing anything about the education system in Northern Ireland,” said Principal Paul Bell. They very often don’t know if their children are too young or too old, what they should wear, what to bring with them, what the school offers, and what is expected of them and their children. The kiosk is designed to inform these visitors and cut through a lot of stress and time for staff, parents, and new pupils .” Newly-returned South Belfast MLA Anna Lo (launched the new kiosk) alongside the school’s English as an Additional Language teacher Vijay Tandon. “I congratulate Botanic Primary School on this innovative initiative which gives parents the necessary information and makes the school a welcoming place, which is hugely positive,” she said. “It shows that we can adapt to meet the needs of people coming into the country. This is a model of good practice that can be replicated at other schools throughout Northern Ireland.” Bubble were delighted and honoured at the reception the initiative received and look forward to helping other schools and educational establishments with similar solutions.To view the official press release click here. To launch the Speechbubble Botanic Kiosk photostream click here.

The University of California San Diego’s new global safety center, allows construction workers worldwide to receive critical safety training based on U.S. standards. The recent establishment of the university safety center comes after the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) dramatically revised its global safety training program, which includes discontinuing the issue of 10- and 30-hour safety cards, in most instance outside of the United States, effective July 1, 2011. Many safety trainers who issue OSHA 10 & OSHA 30 cards outside the US, will no longer be able to do so. ISEI Director, Scott McKay, believes ISEI will help international companies keep their legal commitments by making sure their workers around the globe are up to par on safety training. Bubble have been working closely with ISIE, to help resource their training curriculum with innovative and engaging materials. The Safety Practitioner (8 Hours) course includes an illustrated multi-lingual presentation and an illustrated Handbook, inspired by SpeechBubble Safety Talks. For the official press release on ISEI launch click here.