e-Learning app aims to boost matric results
WITH the aim of not only making online learning accessible and fun, but to also boost the provincial matric results, a classroom learning solution company, Edukite, in partnership with the Northern Cape Department of Education, has donated more than 13,000 tablets to Grade 12 pupils in the Province.
The tablets, which are equipped with the Edukite Learning App, enable pupils to study and watch videos for six major school subjects, without the use of data.
The featured subjects include Mathematics, Geography, Physical Science, Business Studies, Accounting and Life Science.
The Northern Cape Department of Education launched the provincial roll-out of the e-Learning Initiative at Vuyolwethu High School in Kimberley on February 27 and pupils in other parts of the Province received their tablets this week.
The founder and director of Edukite, Vineet Ladia, said his company came up with an alternative and interactive method of learning for youngsters who might find the traditional classroom method of learning outdated in the current Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“The Edukite Learning App is designed to be the ultimate learning tool for South African school learners, covering different subjects across grades. Edukite is the only company in South Africa to offer a comprehensive basket of subjects for grades 4 to 12, and to also provide practical ideas and content training for teachers.
“The app aims to make learning more accessible, fun and simple to understand for this generation of learners in the digital age, which we believe will translate into better overall results,” said Ladia.
He added that the app was first introduced to teachers in the Province in 2016.
“Edukite’s partnership with the Northern Cape Department of Education began in 2016 when teachers were given the Edukite curriculum software on a laptop as a teaching tool in their classrooms. This next phase saw the roll-out of the Edukite Learning App on tablet devices to the learners themselves, who will now be able to access the innovative learning material both in the classroom and at home, with no internet needed.
“The app is a complete digital solution that aids learners in better understanding concepts and practising them. It consists of the entire Grade 12 curriculum of six CAPS subjects in digital format and provides learners with 2D and 3D animations to help visualise difficult concepts and assimilate them better.
“It is also loaded with interactive simulations where learners can apply and investigate concepts and virtual experiments that aim to engage the learners and enhance the learning experience.
“Furthermore, the app consists of solved previous NSC (National Senior Certificate) examination papers where learners can view different methods of solving exam questions and common mistakes committed by learners.”
Ladia added that there are no costs involved when learners make use of the tablet and the learners are equipped with a “priceless gift” they can use to improve their futures.
“With internet connectivity not available to all learners, many having data constraints and often living in rural communities, the curriculum is stored offline on the devices, allowing learners to access the content at any time or in any place. This also provides a solution to the load shedding crisis where learning is not negatively impacted by slow or intermittent internet access.
“While the app is most often offered with a three- or five-year usage licence, as a special partnership with the provincial Department of Education the learners presented with the tablets will be offered perpetual licences to the app that can be used for life, without the need to pay recurring licence fees.
“By providing learners with the technological tools to be the best that they can be, we look forward to seeing the matric pass rate and the number of quality passes in the Province increase over the coming years, and believe that this is a significant milestone in achieving an accessible and technology-driven education system for all South African youth,” Ladia concluded.
