The Ministry of Education yesterday launched EDpal, an innovative application which it says is set to revolutionize the way learners from across the country access educational content.
The app can be downloaded at: https://play.google.com/store/ apps/details?id=pocket.edyou.fm&fbclid=IwAR2zDnIamvMDRgHH_LXMgt-4Cj0-nBUsOEnfH6yJTH3xLOZBD4y7cmgkGXs .
The ministry said that the initiative aims to provide a convenient and effective tool for reinforcing learning, reviewing challenging subjects, and improving academic performance, utilizing approved content which is also aired on EdYou FM radio.
“EDpal is designed to cater to the diverse needs of students at all levels, including nursery, primary and secondary, while it also has content for teachers in training at the Cyril Potter College of Education. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive content library, the app offers a wide range of educational resources for students studying Science, Mathematics, Theatre Arts, Social Studies, English and Spanish. It also has English content specifically tailored for Spa-nish speakers”, the release said.
During the launch ceremony in the Grand Savannah Suite, Pegasus, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand encouraged students, teachers, and parents to embrace this learning tool. She said the aim is to ensure equity and equality of opportunity for all students to access learning materials regardless of their geographic location in Guyana.
Head of EdYou FM, Phillip Williams stated “The EDpal app is designed to revolutionize the way learners from across the country access educational content at their convenience. Through this app, learners will have the ability to play educational content on demand with just a simple click on the relevant link. We aim to make learning more accessible and enjoyable, empowering students and teachers to enhance their knowledge beyond the confines of the traditional classroom setting.”
He added that the app allows students to access the content at any time and in any location with or without the Internet.
Some other key features of EDpal are:
Easy Navigation: The app’s user-friendly interface allows for effortless browsing and access to specific topics; and because it’s audio-centric, low bandwidth is not a problem.
Measurable: the ministry can generate a matrix of data based on usage and downloads, which will inform it on the effectiveness of the app and content accessed.
Personalized Learning: Stu-dents can tailor their learning by focusing on areas they find challenging or want to explore further.
Offline Access: The app supports offline access to content, ensuring uninterrupted learning even in areas with low connectivity.
Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Quenita Walrond-Lewis, lauded the development of the app. She said that it is another demonstration of her department’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance educational opportunities for all students in Guyana.
In addition to its standalone features, EDpal seamlessly integrates with EdYou FM radio which can also be found on the app.
