The Rhifau app has been developed as part of the Technoleg Mawr Mewn Dwylo Bach project which focuses on creating new software for use by young children learning how to read and speak Welsh. We are supported through funding from the Welsh Government’s Welsh-language Technology and Digital Media Fund.
We believe use of tablet computers and mobile devices is increasingly playing a pivotal role in ‘engaging, enthusing and inspiring’ learners in school and at home. Unfortunately, the provision for Welsh language medium schools to engage with the newest technology through the medium of Welsh is hindered by the lack of Welsh language apps. We firmly believe that technology should be as readily available to all pupils as paper, pens, and books and feel having a greater choice of apps for young Welsh language learners will allow them to engage in unique ways not currently available to them. As teachers are being encouraged to engage even greater with new technology, there is a stark reminder that much of the technology available is only accessible through the English language.
Working together with students and teachers from YGG Llwyncelyn and YGG Llyn Y Forwyn primary schools in the Rhondda Valleys, the app was developed by Big Click, a social enterprise for Penrhys Partnership which focuses on improving access to technology at a community level.
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Mae’r ap Rhifau wedi ei ddatblygu fel rhan o’r prosiect Technoleg Mawr Mewn Dwylo Bach a sefydlwyd er mwyn creu meddalwedd newydd ar gyfer plant ifanc sy’n dysgu sut i ddarllen a siarad Cymraeg. Rydym ni’n derbyn arian o Gronfa Technoleg a Chyfryngau Digidol Cymraeg Llywodraeth Cymru.
Rydym ni o’r farn fod cyfrifiaduron llechi a dyfeisiau symudol yn chwarae rhan gynyddol bwysig o ran cymell, ysbrydoli a dal dychymyg plant - gartref ac yn yr ysgol. Yn anffodus, mae diffyg apiau Cymraeg yn llesteirio gallu ysgolion Cymraeg i ymwneud â’r dechnoleg ddiweddaraf drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Rydym ni’n gwbl grediniol y dylai plant allu troi at dechnoleg yr un mor hwylus â throi at bapur, beiros a llyfrau. Credwn hefyd y bydd gwell dewis o apiau yn caniatáu i ddysgwyr Cymraeg ifanc ddefnyddio technoleg mewn ffyrdd unigryw sydd ddim ar gael iddyn nhw ar hyn o bryd. Wrth i athrawon gael eu hannog i ddefnyddio mwy a mwy o dechnoleg newydd, daw hi’n gynyddol amlycach fod llawer o’r dechnoleg honno ar gael yn Saesneg yn unig.
Cafodd yr ap hwn ei ddatblygu gan Big Click law yn llaw â myfyrwyr ac athrawon Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwyncelyn ac Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn yng Nghwm Rhondda. Menter gymdeithasol a sefydlwyd gan Bartneriaeth Penrhys yw Big Click sy’n ceisio gwneud technoleg gwybodaeth yn fwy hygyrch i gymunedau.