The world is evolving in every aspect and the IT industry changes the fastest. Technology affects us at almost every step. It is important to keep up with it and be able to use it to our advantage. However, education is developing much more slowly and fails to integrate IT appropriately into teaching. Of course, there was an effort, but just computers and interactive whiteboards are not enough for today’s children, who are surrounded by technical innovations of the 21st century. It was clear to everyone that a change in education was approaching. Even thanks to the pandemic, it will be much sooner than expected.
The Czech startup Vividbooks focused on the digitalization of education. Project Vividbooks comes with an interactive textbook that combines traditional teaching methods such as pencil and paper with an innovative way of teaching using smartphones/tablets and augmented reality. It’s really easy to use, all you have to do is install the Vividbooks application on your smart device (tablet or smartphone), aim the device at the printed worksheets and watch what happens. The static image of the worksheets turns into an animation on your display, which also makes sounds. It is like being in the world of Harry Potter.
The animation explains the topics more clearly than just the formulas and the teacher’s simple interpretation. Children then discuss topics and develop their critical thinking. And at the end, they draw their newly acquired knowledge in the worksheets, which leads to better memorization. The application contains over 160 lessons and is available for both iOS and Android. It is also a suitable way for distance learning. And now, during pandemic, it is possible to try its basic version for free. The application is now used by over 40 schools in the Czech Republic.
Unfortunately, a wide range of subjects is not yet available. Currently, children can learn just physics this way, but chemistry textbook should appear soon. Overall, Vividbooks focus on STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). These subjects are usually less popular because their interpretation is often boring and complicated. However, thanks to a fun and interactive form of teaching, children’s opinion could change. Increasing children’s motivation to study is also the main goal of the Vividbooks.
The Vividbooks project succeeded in the European accelerator Impact EdTech and now is trying to get into Y Combinator. Vividbooks = the future of education.
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