App gives pupils access to quality ‘teacher’

Published Sep 8, 2015

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Nicolette Dirk

TO give pupils access to a tutor at their fingertips, mathematics teacher Paul Maree, from the Centre of Science and Technology (Cosat) High School in Khayelitsha, has developed an app which features interactive teaching.

The app Paper Video incorporates embedded videos of experienced teachers who go through problems that Grade 10, 11 and 12 pupils have experienced in subjects such as maths, physics, life sciences and accounting.

Maree said these were the subjects pupils found most challenging.

Pupils going through previous exam papers can find interactive solutions on Paper Video by either accessing the Paper Video app or going to www.papervideo.co.za

Maree, who also tutors matriculants at Cosat, said he and co-founder Chris Mills came up with the concept mainly for pupils who could not afford private tutors.

“Pupils get quality solutions when their teachers are not available. An experienced teacher will explain how to solve their specific problem step by step. We have created a large collection of educational videos with more than 6 000 exam questions and their video solutions,” said Maree.

Pupils who do not have access to smartphones or a computer with internet can also access the Paper Video through DVD packs.

There are 10 interactive question papers with solutions for each subject, but four interactive question papers and solutions are available for free when schools and pupils who cannot afford the full pack visit the website.

To make the programme available to schools and pupils who want the full package but cannot afford it, Maree has partnered with the Actuarial Society of SA for sponsorship.

So far this initiative has given pupils from schools in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain free access to the programme.

Cosat high school principal Phadiela Cooper said they used Paper Video DVDs at their school.

“It is a great self-help tool for pupils to take home and go through problems at their own pace,” she said.

Cosat started using Paper Video in June for matriculants, but they planned to roll out the programme to other grades by next year.

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