After-Class.co.za is a social education network that enables pupils, teachers and tutors to share collective knowledge and resources.
Instead of learners losing marks for mistakes, as they do at school, After-Class.co.za creates a gamified environment that has learners start at zero and earn points by sharing resources and participating in discussions.
"It encourages self discipline and self motivation," says Bryan Vlok, After-Class.co.za founder and CEO. "It's not up to the teacher, it's not up to the parents; it's up to you."
The start-up also aims to support teachers by allowing them to pool resources and planning. Vlok comes from an educational background, with teacher parents and his own teaching experience having exposed him to the difficulties faced by teachers. He had the idea to use social interaction and rewards as an opportunity to address a massive need for both teachers and students.
The first version of After-Class.co.za went live at the beginning of March, while version 2.0, a more powerful site with a point system for note-sharing, video chat features, user ranking and live class scheduling, launched on 30 April. Sign-up is free, while points are needed to access resources. Students can earn points by participating, or purchase a premium subscription for unlimited access. Teachers have completely free access, and tutors can also pay to advertise their services on the site.
Upon reaching a critical mass of users, advertising revenue models and research marketing data will be on the cards.
"The next steps are all about user engagement. We have the structures in place and now we need to educate members of the education system about how to use and engage with the site," says Vlok.
Future plans include the addition of testing software, which will allow students to gauge what they would score in real exams and be assigned user levels (eg novice, intermediate, expert). The online profiles built by students may be used after matric to open up bursary and internship opportunities.
The company would also like to get involved in community outreach once it is up and running, by creating mobile versions of After-Class.co.za that can be accessed from a wider variety of devices, and even helping to provide computers and Internet to disadvantaged schools, adds Vlok.
As well as being a successful business, Vlok sees After-Class.co.za filling an essential gap in education in SA. "Education is a serious concern, and if we can help members of the education system, even if it's to enable them to help one another, then we are taking a step in the right direction."
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