App makes studying easier for matrics

FROM the age of three, he began dabbling with computers, and now, as a 17-year-old Grade 11 pupil, has developed an app to help matrics come out tops at the end of their academic year.

Jacques Blom was commissioned by Oxford University Press South Africa (Oupsa) to develop Flippit. He was helped by his business partner, Sanjiv Ranchod, also in Grade 11 at Westerfrod High School.

The app was launched last Friday and Blom said pupils at his school were already saying that it was great and an easy-touse study guide.

Flippit consists of digital flashcard for 14 subjects, which allow pupils to learn content, test themselves, and compete against other pupils, making it fun and easy to study before tests and exams.

“I think the reason they came up with this app is that there is a shortage of good digital education resources for South African students. The brilliant thing about Flippit is that it is in-line with the South African Caps curriculum, so matrics using it can be sure the content they are studying is the what they will be assessed on.”

Blom started programming when he was just 5-years-old, and now runs React Technology, a web and mobile app de- velopment company, in partnership with Ranchod.

He said while he could not give exact numbers of how many times the app has been downloaded, he said it had been “great and many students have started adopting Flippit”.

Once a user feels confident enough they can go into test mode where random multiple choice and true or false questions will be asked about he flashcards they saw.

It also allows pupils to challenge their friends on the content in real time.

“The app generates multiple choice and true/false questions, and displays it to both me and my friend. Once we have both completed the challenge, our scores are compared and the winner is chosen. This provides students with a really fun way to learn.”

Oupsa managing director, Steve Cilliers, said they realised the need for technology to be introduced to pupils.

“Working with Jacques has been great as he has ensured that the app is relevant and suitable for the user. He thinks from the perspective of the developer and the user, so we've been able to get the best of both worlds to ensure that flippit really does help learners study.” – Daily News Correspondent