Technology

Posted on April 4, 2016 by staff

GCSE students boosted by new BBC Learning revision app

Technology

GCSE students have been boosted by the release of a BBC app which will help them revise for upcoming exams.

BBC Learning have released the free app to assist teenagers looking to boost their knowledge in English, maths and science before they are put to the test in May and June.

It is currently intended as a supplement for the established BBC Bitesize website, which offers a broader range of topics.

The Corporation plans to roll out the app to a wider range of subjects over time and also increase functionality.

“Nine in 10 Key Stage 4 students already use BBC Bitesize during the summer term and last year’s GCSE students say it helped them feel more prepared for their exams and achieve better grades,” said head of BBC Learning Sinead Rocks.

“This new app will deliver personalised Bitesize revision cards to teenagers on their smartphones, supporting their studies outside the classroom – at home or on the go.”

The BBC said that more than three-fifths of Key Stage 4 Bitesize users were accessing the material by phone before the app.

Once students have signed up through the app and selected their year at school and subjects, they can access a series of flashcards offering general revision help.

When choosing a subject they are asked to specify an exam board before an intuitive menu system displays relevant revision material for students to access.

This is in the form of audio, video, infographics, quotes and quizzes.

The development of the app follows the publication of the Childwise Monitor Report, which found 94% of 15-16 year-olds had their own smartphone and used it for an average of four hours a day.

“Alongside the recent launch of BBC Live Lessons for schools and major educational campaigns like the BBC miro:bit, this is a further demonstration of the BBC’s continued commitment to education,” added Ms Rocks.

The app is available for Android and Apple devices and is in both English and Welsh.

A desktop version is planned for next year.