When issues of great significance and global import are on the line, in this day and age, it is imperative that a proper use of technology comes to play. These were our thoughts when we applied to Guinness World Record Ltd, UK for the rights to attempt to create a new world record in oral health for the largest number of people organized to brush their teeth simultaneously in multiple locations.
In this logistics heavy project, keeping in mind the standards set by Guinness World Record, it is our pleasure to share with you the way we have chosen to use technology in this event.
Counting
We have adopted appropriate technology in the counting method designed. We are using an IT based electronic counting method based on real-time in-person scanning of 300,000 unique QR-codes to be distributed to all the adolescents who will be brushing on the day of the main event. These QR code and scanning system were developed to run on Android and BlackBerry devices by the in-house programmer and computer maestro, Dr. Durojaiye Ashimiyu, and linked to a database that recognizes only the QR codes created for this purpose. So, QR codes representative of any other organization or any other purpose will be scanned but simply not recognized and thus not added to the count.
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Also, each scanning device is location specific and is activated by a special activation code for that location. For example, location 176 (Ansar-Ud-Deen High School) has an activation code 345XYZ176. So, five people in that area can download the app from BB app world, Google Play or via the email link sent to all the volunteers; install it on their devices and use the activation codes to launch their devices for the counting at that venue.
The QR code scanning system also has a counter co-developed with it. The counter system is a monitor that will be available online (on the project website) on the day of the world record as well as at the main venue. There is also a manual backup counting method using a 50 count-based tally system to record participation. The total manual count generated will then be sent via SMS to the main venue for manual collation of the total count. While the electronic counting method is automatically computed online, the manual method is completely offline and thus invulnerable to cyber attacks.
The user interface of the counting allows for real-time viewing of total count from all venues and a breakdown of counting done per district. The simple user interface makes it easy for people following the record from around the world to know the amount of participants counted in real-time. It also provides opportunity for logo placement for supporting brands to whom such platform yields brand exposure.
According to the Guinness World Records, this is an acceptable mode of counting.
Capturing
The Guinness World Record standards stipulate that there should be a single entrance and exit and there needs to be video evidence of the entrance and exit of each participant as well as the actual tooth brushing itself. This needs the cameras to be strategically placed to record engagement. Each school has been commissioned with the responsibility to capture the actual tooth brushing event in their school using a camera not less than 300 dpi resolution – this way, the electronic and manual counting methods are easily verifiable.
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The video camera is to pan across the field of brushing to capture every participant. Guinness World Record will then freeze various frames and do a manual on-screen count of the participants to verify the record.
So, we stand together at the threshold of a history making event, so get involved, spread the word and let’s do our nation proud while also promoting good health and shiny teeth.
Media, Content and Engagement
ToothBrushingChallenge.org is the go to place for everything about the project. From images about past and present events, to volunteer recruitment and other fun stuff. With a domain easy to recall, the analytics shows that there have been over 50,000 visits to the website in the month of June only. There has also been strong use of social media with over 2,400 followers on Facebook and over 400 followers on Twitter.
The social media platforms have yielded opportunity to engage the project’s audience in discussions. On World Oral Health Day 2013, the Twitter handle, @LagosWRecord, had the most tweets and was in the top four most influential in the world which attracted the attention of the International Dental Federation. The very active Facebook account can be followed on here.
The Lagos World Record Toothbrushing Challenge is a school oral health and media initiative which will peak on July 4th 2013 in a Guinness World Record attempt where over 300,000 people will brush their teeth simultaneously in multiple locations. Technology has played a major role in the entire design and implementation making it another case for use of technology for promoting health care.
The technology team is led by Ashimiyu Durojaiye, the lead developer and founder of Shimaotech, Ayo Adeshokan, the web developer and Wale Lawal, the project manager. The project head, Lawal Bakare, led the GUI design and served a creative backbone for the entire technology design process.
