<![CDATA[Pressat Main Newswire]]> https://pressat.co.uk/rss/ <![CDATA[Pressat Main Newswire]]> https://pressat.co.uk/media/site/logo.png https://pressat.co.uk/rss/ en-gb Copyright: (C) Pressat Pressat <![CDATA[ UK team onebillion - the only European finalist in Elon Musk's $15million XPRIZE ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/uk-team-onebillion-the-only-european-finalist-in-elon-musks-15million-xprize-713418a3d957c746dce191c0ffb14121/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/uk-team-onebillion-the-only-european-finalist-in-elon-musks-15million-xprize-713418a3d957c746dce191c0ffb14121/ Monday 18 September, 2017

London-based non-profit onebillion has been announced as one of the 5 finalists in the Global Learning XPRIZE, funded by Elon Musk. XPRIZE is the world leader in designing competitions to find innovative solutions to solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges.

The Global Learning XPRIZE (GLEXP) challenges teams across the globe to develop scalable, open source software that will teach children in developing countries to read and write.

The final 5 teams have been announced during this year’s UN General Assembly Week; each awarded a $1 million milestone prize and taken forward to the trial phase. Their learning solutions will be assessed in rigorous field-trial, monitored by XPRIZE partners UNESCO and the UN World Food Programme. 4,000 out of school children in Tanzania will be given a Pixel C tablet, donated by Google, loaded with one of the solutions.

The team that generates the best international standardised test scores, proving their solution is the most effective for children’s learning, will be awarded the Grand Prize of $10 million. With this prize money and the continued support of the XPRIZE Foundation, the winner will have the opportunity to scale their software to ensure that children all around the world will benefit.

The only finalist from Europe, onebillion has over 14 years of experience in developing educational software that succeeds in teaching children, wherever they are in the world. Independent studies in the UK and Malawi proved children who used onebillion maths software showed significant learning gains, after just 6-8 weeks of 30-minute sessions.

Their numeracy software already has over 100,000 users worldwide, and their learning initiative Unlocking Talent has been institutionalised in all 5,400 schools in Malawi by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST).

Andrew Ashe, CEO of onebillion says his team are committed to the XPRIZE vision.

“Let’s work together to get this generation of the world’s children reading.”

onebillion’s ambition is to bring quality literacy and numeracy education to one billion children around the world. The fundamental skills of reading, writing and arithmetic are vital for children to reach their full potential, become self-confident and escape poverty.




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http://onebillion.org/ 18 Sep 2017 14:12:43 GMT Charities & non-profits Computing & Telecoms Consumer Technology Education & Human Resources Government
<![CDATA[ UK team semifinalist in Global Learning XPRIZE ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/uk-team-semifinalist-in-global-learning-xprize-ad08def4f22404d43982f858a8c13fa6/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/uk-team-semifinalist-in-global-learning-xprize-ad08def4f22404d43982f858a8c13fa6/ Thursday 22 June, 2017

LONDON (June 21, 2017) - London-based nonprofit onebillion has been selected as one of 11 semifinalists from seven countries in the $15 million Global Learning XPRIZE, a competition that challenges teams from all over the world to develop open source and scalable software that will enable children in developing countries to teach themselves basic reading, writing and arithmetic. The Global Learning XPRIZE is partnered with UNESCO, the World Food Programme and the Government of Tanzania.

An independent panel of expert judges will now select five finalists, who will be awarded $1 million each. Their solutions will be made open source and evaluated in a rigourous field trial with 4,000 children in Tanzania, who will each receive a tablet donated by Google. The software that proves most effective will be awarded the Grand Prize of $10 million. The XPRIZE Foundation will support the winner to ensure children around the world will benefit from their software.

onebillion is one of only two semifinalists from Europe. The nonprofit has substantial experience with developing numeracy and literacy software that succeeds in teaching children. Independent studies showed significant learning gains in both the UK and Malawi

Their numeracy software is already used in more than a hundred schools in Malawi, and by more than 100,000 children around the world. onebillion's goal is to bring quality education to children wherever they are. The literacy software will be rolled out in Malawi later this year.

The basic skills of numeracy and literacy are crucial for children to escape poverty. UNESCO estimates that 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty, if all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading
skills.




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http://onebillion.org/ 22 Jun 2017 09:24:36 GMT Charities & non-profits Computing & Telecoms Consumer Technology Education & Human Resources Government
<![CDATA[ Closing the gap in maths through an app - in only 30 minutes a day ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/closing-the-gap-in-maths-through-an-app-in-only-30-minutes-a-day-3c2c065797cbdb0d855fe16c71d29ad7/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/closing-the-gap-in-maths-through-an-app-in-only-30-minutes-a-day-3c2c065797cbdb0d855fe16c71d29ad7/ Tuesday 7 February, 2017


A new study reveals significant maths improvements for children learning with the right apps, regardless of their socio-economic background.

A lot of children in the UK are struggling in maths in their early years of school. This is especially true for learners with English as an additional language, and those who come from low-income families. Yet, a solid foundation is critical for children to succeed later on.

An in-depth study by the University of Nottingham has found that 30-minute sessions with the right software result in significant learning gains for all children, regardless of their background. Improvements were immediate and sustained over time.

The results show that the most significant learning gains were achieved by children with poor memory skills. The researchers associate the remarkable progress with the design of the software used in the intervention.

The maths apps used in the intervention were developed by non-profit onebillion. The onebillion apps are designed to allow every child to progress at their own speed. Every child receives immediate and personalised feedback, as well as repetitions and instructions as needed, which is particularly beneficial for children with learning difficulties.

The study found that with the right child-centred software, tablet interventions can be effective in supporting early maths development, and can foster inclusive learning.

About the study

The study “Closing the gap: Efficacy of a tablet intervention to support the development of early mathematical skills in UK primary school children” was carried out by Nicola Pitchford, Laura Outhwaite and Anthea Gulliford, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, UK.

The full study report can be accessed on http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131517300118

About onebillion maths apps

onebillion is a non-profit developer of apps that allow children to learn maths and reading on their own, and at their own pace. The apps are carefully designed and cover two years of the curriculum. A friendly in-app teacher figure provides guidance, instructions, feedback, and praise for the child’s efforts.

onebillion maths apps are available on iOS and Android, in more than 50 languages. The apps are suitable for learning at home, and as classroom support in schools.

onebillion.org/apps




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http://onebillion.org/ 07 Feb 2017 07:52:06 GMT Charities & non-profits Children & Teenagers Consumer Technology Education & Human Resources Government