App lets pupils work at own pace

AN APP that uses animation and audio as a personal teaching device for children to work and learn at their own pace has been launched in Durban.

iwhiz, a novel digital solution, with the key focus of “bringing learning to life” with its fun-filled and interactive features, was launched by the Durbanbased education development company, Institute for Quality Education, Training and Development.

iwhiz uses a flipped classroom approach to create a more pupil-friendly environment.

At the launch, Dr Tholsia Naidoo, who has a PHD in Education, said the process allowed the teacher to work with each child independently and for the children to stay engaged in their studies.

The app includes all textbooks for the curriculums.

Naidoo said the lessons were all about three minutes in order to keep the children’s attention.

“Every lesson is incorporated into a three-minute animated video, from Grade R to matric, containing relevant content taught in the classroom, using a virtual teacher. In addition, there are a series of quizzes that test the learners’ understanding of each section, and gaming is used to test the term’s work covered.”

She said the app worked as a personal trainer for children to work at their own pace. With this formula, the children could learn at an accelerated pace and also go back into the curriculum to learn what they don’t understand.

iwhiz works offline and allows pupils to continue their studies outside the classroom.

“In addition to helping our children reach their educational goals, technology has facilitated a life-long learning boom, where children can learn anywhere, at any time.

“When children are having fun, they tend to learn better. It’s even scientifically proven that retention of information is higher when it is communicated using both visual and verbal communication.

“Animation makes the content accessible. The use of animation instruction can significantly enhance pupil learning and addresses pupils in the digital age who expect more,” said Naidoo.

iwhiz covers all textbooks and lessons for each curriculum at a cost of R17 a month, a grade. The app is available with a 7GB update. Each grade is separately downloaded.