LOCAL WINNER
Beginner Awards: Social impact
Skillarize
Solution details
Skillarize is a platform that makes learning fun and exciting. Users earn points for studying and can trade them in for rewards allowing them also to connect and engage with others. Teachers have access to templates to easily adapt their lessons.
Tweet / Slogan
Skillarize: the ultimate platform for enjoyable learning! Earn points, unlock cool rewards, and connect with others through chats and video calls. Teachers get special templates for seamless navigation. Join now and make learning fun!
Skillarize
Resources
Please find attached :
- Skillarize slides
- 5minute pitch video with proposed Skillarize solution: https://youtu.be/WKHYPMe1OUQ .
- Skillarize Digieduhack Solution Canvas pdf.
Context
In online courses, a lack of human interaction often leads to low motivation and high dropout rates. This challenge isn't just about students; it extends to parents and teachers navigating the complexities of digital education. We recognize that involving parents and teachers is not just desirable but necessary.
Our solution targets the heart of the problem—social interaction. Particularly in small groups, it enhances accountability and boosts student engagement. At Skillarize, we're all about turning learning into a social experience. We've crafted a platform that facilitates students in playful interactions with peers, using a thematic approach and experience points (XPs).
By gamifying the learning experience, we're making education not just informative but enjoyable. Our goal is to create an environment where students, parents, and teachers actively participate, making digital education a dynamic and fulfilling experience for everyone. We're reshaping online learning to be collaborative and interactive, addressing the social side often missing in digital education.
Who Benefits?
Skillarize is a game-changer for high-education level students and teachers. Here's how each group gains:
Students:
· Engaging Learning: Skillarize blends chat, energy tracking, and weekly video calls for an interactive learning experience.
· Fun Themes: Students enjoy a themed, gamified curriculum, making learning enjoyable and memorable.
· Peer Support: Our match-making pyramid forms accountable and supportive peer groups, promoting active learning.
Teachers:
· Time Savings: Automation in group formation and interaction saves teachers time.
· Digital Insights: The dashboard offers digital measurements, providing insights into student engagement and progress.
Versatility: Skillarize adapts across age groups. Tailored Learning: Teachers can personalize courses, ensuring a tailored learning experience for students.
Skillarize's simple, engaging approach makes online learning enjoyable and efficient for students and teachers alike.
Impact
Skillarize makes a significant impact on society and communities by addressing challenges in distance and online learning post-Covid. Our solution enhances online learning with personal interaction, all without overloading teachers.
We measure impact through key indicators:
1. Dropout Rate:
· Skillarize aims for a significant reduction in dropout rates by creating a supportive environment through personal interaction and engaging experiences.
2. Course's Final Scores:
· The collaborative and competitive nature of Skillarize positively influences students' final scores by making learning enjoyable and interactive.
3. User Satisfaction:
· Our success is reflected in high user satisfaction. Skillarize ensures each lesson is engaging, making students look forward to every session.
By focusing on these metrics, Skillarize aims to reshape online learning, making it more interactive, enjoyable, and conducive to long-term student success.
Team work
Our team brings a diverse set of skills that positions us well for the implementation of Skillarize. Led by Liene Turlaja, a seasoned professional in low code/no code application development, we have the technical expertise to bring the platform to life. Liene's coding proficiency is complemented by Tongtong Y., a Master's student specializing in Human-Computer Interaction, providing crucial insights into user experience.
Additionally, we have Cezars Torres-Rueda, an expert in Problem-based learning and Design Thinking. Cezars brings a wealth of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, ensuring our solution is not only technically sound but also pedagogically effective.
Our collaborative approach ensures that Skillarize is not just a technical solution but a well-rounded platform that considers the practical and educational aspects. This combination of skills positions us strongly for the mid and long-term success of Skillarize in the EU Digiedu hackathon and beyond.
Innovativeness
Skillarize brings innovation to the table with its unique peer match-making feature, recognizing the vital role of peer learning in enhancing the overall educational journey—an aspect yet to be fully explored in the market.
While other platforms provide online learning, Skillarize stands out with its distinctive theme-based approach, XP-to-Gems conversion system, and dynamic peer interactions. Our themed learning adds excitement, making education enjoyable. The XP-to-Gems system provides tangible rewards, encouraging active participation, and our dynamic peer interactions go beyond the norm, creating a collaborative learning environment.
Skillarize is more than just an online learning platform; it's an innovative solution that prioritizes peer engagement, uses gamification for active learning, and employs thematic learning for a more immersive educational experience. This combination sets Skillarize at the forefront of innovation in digital education.
Transferability
The theme, XP-to-Gems, and group features in Skillarize aren't limited to schools. They are versatile and can seamlessly apply to various educational and learning contexts. These elements prove equally effective in business training, skill development programs, and community building initiatives.
The flexibility of our content templates is another noteworthy feature. These templates are not confined to a specific field but are adaptable for any context that values structured, customizable content. Whether it's corporate training, specialized skill programs, or community-driven initiatives, Skillarize's core elements can be seamlessly transferred to create engaging and interactive learning experiences across diverse educational domains.
Sustainability
For the initial phase, we'll test Skillarize with a group of students, gathering feedback on its basic functionality. This iterative process allows us to refine the platform based on real usage.
In the mid-term, our goal is to secure investments. With this funding, we'll develop a teacher's module, add more features, and integrate with other educational tools. This phase ensures a richer user experience and scalability.
Long-term, we aim to contribute to the development of the EU digital education market. By staying adaptable and meeting evolving needs, Skillarize aims to be a sustainable and influential player in shaping the future of digital education in Europe.