Two economics teachers have developed a learning app to help students keep track of their studies, access tutorials and be able to complete tests through the app. The teachers were recognized by the Economic Society of Singapore for their outstanding work.
The app makes use of the functions of the hashtag, where teachers are enabled to form queries through the comments and create customized learning content for their students.
MineGap app promises to be a game-changer in the Singaporean education system. Its creators, Mr. Koh Weining, 35, of Temasek Junior College and Hwa Chong Institution economics teacher Gilbert Ng, 39 have already received an award for their pioneering work by the Economic Society of Singapore.
The award which is given as a recognition of teachers from secondary, junior college or centralized institutions who have contributed to the learning and teaching of economics in school, was received enthusiastically by the two creators.
Economics teachers had known learning difficulties
Mr. Ng had noticed that the second-year students were missing a lot on learning, especially when they had gone to represent the school. This was especially true during the sports season in schools where these students actively participated in inter-school competition.
On one hand, he understood that it was inevitable for these students not to miss school, while on the other hand he felt sad that they were losing a lot academically during the period they were away. This is indeed a good way of putting problems and technology together.
He figured that these students needed help, therefore, collaborating with the National Institute of Education, the two worked together to create a ‘gamified flipped gaming app’.
Students would be able to access learning materials, tutorials and also do tests through the app. The app was a success and was introduced into the market in 2017.
The app, according to one of its developers, Mr. Koh, helps students to have more substantive feedback during the whole learning experience.
Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Chee Hong Tat congratulated the two winners of the award and acknowledged them in his speech which was delivered to around 200 people.
He also narrated his college experience and revealed that, although his first degree was not economics-related, he had taken the initiative of pursuing economics in his second stint at the University which he graduated with the highest honors.
He also indicated that Economics had helped him understand underlying issues in our society that dealt with money on a deeper level. Something he said had helped him greatly in his personal life.
The two economics teachers’ fete should be commended as a positive step in the Singapore education system. Innovation should be at the core of the system and policymakers should ensure they offer the support needed to achieve this. Mr. Che indicated this in his closing remarks by saying,
As policymakers, we can be soft-hearted in designing our policies to have empathy and compassion, but we must never forget our economic fundamentals and become soft-headed.
Participate in the conversation about technology and contribute to solutions to education problems as the two economics teachers did.
