EduFocal: Revolutionising education
Published:Tuesday | December 18, 2018 | 12:00 AMVanessa James/Gleaner Writer
EduFocal, an online learning platform, has implemented measures to allay parents and students' concerns about the Primary Exit Profile (PEP).
The small company started in 2012, and, according to Godiva Golding, the content and operations manager at EduFocal, they are being revolutionary in education. She explains that while EduFocal sees where the world is heading in technology and education, there is a contrast with what we are experiencing in Jamaica.
EduFocal targets those at the primary level, in addition to students who will sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
"We are being a bit revolutionary and it's an interesting space to be in. We (EduFocal) all have our little experiences that result in us seeing the world as this grand thing in technology and the place where we need to be, but then we contrast with everybody else's viewpoint within Jamaica, and we are still trying to live in this limbo, where we know what is; we know where we ought to be, and we are someplace in the middle trying to get persons to understand and join us," Golding said.
She noted that this limbo can be difficult, but EduFocal does not back away from the struggle.
The company is on a mission to create and innovate new ways of educating students in Jamaica, specifically related to the changing landscape of technology globally. "Innovation is at the core of what we do because we realise that ever since the 2000s, we are having 21st-century learners. As a result, we have an alternative view of education," Golding stated, "Babies come out of the womb and instantly start swiping. These are the ones we have created EduFocal for."
'GAMIFICATION'
With this in mind, EduFocal realised that engagement is very important for the generation of students, so they coined the term 'gamification' as the tool to teach while giving an incentive.
"We strive to make sure that the students feel the sort of excitement they would when they are playing a game. For every test they do on EduFocal, they receive points; they compete with other students right across the island. Each year, we have at least 2,000 students competing per grade, and there are options for grades four, five, six and CSEC, all in one place at EduFocal.com. So when you are signing up, you select the one you want," Golding shared.
The team at EduFocal has also made the lives of teachers easier with the 'coursework' option on their site. "We have over 100 partner schools. These are schools that use EduFocal to take things a step further by integrating technology in the classrooms. A coursework section can be added also and used to administer tests that can be taken anywhere or be used to give homework. Some schools used this option to administer end-of-term exams, also. These are the things teachers and students have been benefiting from, and we hope to continue giving this type of value," Golding told The Gleaner.
EduFocal has realised the importance of education and implores others to join in getting our students ready for the world. Golding stated, "We need more people to understand the value of education and invest in it. We need to equip our children because our youths are competing both locally and globally," she continued, "We are changing the way our students think with PEP, and EduFocal is here to help make the process better and easier."
Golding outlined EduFocal's hope for the future of education in Jamaica, "We want to reach a level where we can take you from cradle to grave; from early-childhood education to being certified in different skills, right up to landing a job. We are being practical about education. It's not just about math, English, science and social studies; and it's more than just the classroom."
Parents and teachers can visit the EduFocal website and sign up for help. For PEP practice, complementary material is provided on the Ministry of Education's PEP website.