Five African edtech startups innovating learning methods

The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on the need for innovative and tech-driven teaching solutions in South Africa. 

We have curated a list of five edtech startups addressing the challenges of learning during the Covid-19 pandemic

Five African edtech startups have created innovative solutions to ensure that students are able to continue learning from the comfort of their home and through the use of technological platforms and various online tools. 

The plague of economic inequality across the continent has prompted many edtech startups to create solutions to issues of long-distance learning, areas with a lack of digital resources, and access to free or affordable educational online tools. 

Various edtechs have developed a range of solutions to the current challenges faced including online tutoring, access to online studying material, and more. 

Five African edtechs 

Turtlejar Tutors

First founded in 2015 as Gutsy Tutoring, the online platform has helped learners connect with local tutors. What would become known as Turtlejar Tutors began with only a small number of tutors in Cape Town.

The platform has since provided tutors in other cities all over South Africa such as Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Knysna. Turtlejar has also provided an online platform for 100 subjects including Mathematics, English, Science, Afrikaans, and French.

Disrupt Tutoring

A recently launched South African edtech platform, Disrupt Tutoring, aims to provide an “epic education” to teachers, students, learners, parents, and tutors. The startup was founded by Jedd Harris, an educator at St David’s Marist Inanda in Sandton, Johannesburg, and Wits PhD Candidate Wade Stanton-Jones.

The edtech is a privately held company that provides inspirational articles to help students, learners, teachers, and tutors. The platform also provides educational videos for Mathematics (from grade seven to grade 12) and Algebra and Calculus for A.P Mathematics. Educational videos are also provided for Life Sciences and Physical Sciences from grade 10 to grade 12.

Extramarks

Based in Gauteng, Extramarks has created an educational app aimed at assisting learners, parents, and teachers. The Extramarks Total Learning app has helped learners from grades six to grade 12 by them giving them easy access to their school curriculum in the safety of their own home. Parents and teachers are also able to use the app to track the learner’s progress.

The app can be downloaded from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Learners will be able to resources to learn Maths, Science, or English.

Extramarks uses a three-part approach to help learners and students in their studies. The first part includes helping the learner understand the concept through entertaining visuals such as videos.

The second step involves the learner putting into practice what they have learned. Finally, their knowledge is put to the test with various quizzes. The app is also able to help learners improve by providing a detailed and personalised report for them.

PataTutor

PataTutor, a Kenya-based edtech startup aims to connect students with qualified private or online tutors. 

The goal of PataTutor, a Kenya-based edtech startup, is to provide a convenient way for parents to find private or online tutors for their children.

Online tutors and classrooms have become especially important since the Covid-19 pandemic began. These online lessons allow learners and students to learn from the safety of their own homes.

Children who can receive extra tuition from tutors will perform better in schools and their exams, according to the edtech startup. However, the process of finding the perfect tutor can be tedious and time-consuming.

Parents can choose from a range of subjects from Geography to Physics and from Mathematics to History. Parents can also decide if they would like their child to be part of a group lesson or a private lesson.

Online tutors and classrooms have become especially important since the Covid-19 pandemic began. These online lessons allow learners and students to learn from the safety of their own homes.

Examsta

Former science and mathematics educator, Marie De Wet, has created and is currently testing an educational app, Examsta. Currently, the app is free of charge and provides learners with the study material needed for Life Science exams from grades 10 to 12.

De Wet thought of Examsta after she had become frustrated with the lack of study material, especially for the South African curriculum. She also added that she found it difficult to find interactive material for Physical Science.

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