All Gr. 12 learners from across the Northern Cape are in the process of each receiving a tablet, preloaded with a licensed Edukite learning application.
This offline learning app comes with the entire curriculum for six matric subjects: Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Science, Geography, Business Studies and Accounting.
The first of these tablets were handed over to matriculants of the Vuyolwethu High School in Galeshewe by the premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, and the MEC for Education, Zolile Monakali, on 27 February.
By using the app on the tablets, matriculants will better understand abstract content knowledge acquired through three-dimensional animations. Through interactive simulations, learners can apply and investigate what they have learnt.
The app will further assist learners in preparing for their examinations by tracking their progress and performance, and does not require any data to operate.
“The provision of tablets to all Gr.. 12 learners is not only a significant milestone for the province, but a remarkable achievement for the education system.
“This initiative will equip educators and learners with skills and technology needed for a changing world,” said Geoffrey van der Merwe, spokesperson for the Northern Cape Department of Education (DOE).
Vineet Ladia, founder and director of Edukite South Africa, said this classroom learning solutions company provided the Northern Cape DOE with the offline learning app for 13 000 tablets.
“Edukite is the only company in South Africa to offer a comprehensive basket of subjects for Gr. 4 to Gr. 12, and to provide practical ideas and content training for teachers,” added Ladia.
Initiated in 2006, Edukite has achieved great success. Its partnership with the Northern Cape DOE began in 2016 when teachers were given the Edukite curriculum software on a laptop as a teaching tool in their classrooms.
This next phase is the rollout of the app on tablets to the learners, who will now be able to access the learning material in the classroom and at home – with no internet needed.
In addition to the entire Gr. 12 curriculum of six subjects in digital format and 2D and 3D animations, interactive simulations, and virtual experiments, the app offers completely solved exam papers of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams where methods of solving and common mistakes can be found.
“Visual guidance has proven effective in improving a person’s memory,” said Ladia, referring to a study by the Bay Atlantic University in Washington DC, which suggests that study participants remembered only up to 20% of information delivered through text, compared to almost 60% when the information was presented visually.
“With internet connectivity not available to all learners, the curriculum is stored offline on the devices, allowing learners to access the content at any time, or in any place,” explained Ladia.
“We look forward to seeing the matriculant pass rate and the number of quality passes in the province increase over the coming years, and believe this is a significant milestone in achieving an accessible and technology-driven education system for all South African youth,” concluded Ladia.
