Velocity Arcademy, a mobile learning edtech startup founded by two young women, was launched on June 21 to help teachers develop their skills in technology, pedagogy and professionalism.
Velocity Arcademy provides short educational and technology-specific lessons and skills related practice exercises for teachers without them having to spend a lot of time listening or watching first.
The startup helps schools and education providers become autonomous by equipping teachers with the skills and competences needed to keep them up to date with the digital and pedagogical skills required in a rapidly changing world.
Their programme aims at providing the essential pedagogical support and skills necessary for a teacher’s professional upskilling without certain constraints such as time, place or funding.
The platform accepted the very first batch of 50 teachers from various provinces to help them to transform themselves into digital educators during the 2-week programme on innovative teachers starting on June 21.
Velocity Arcademy co-founder Sovann Pichpisey told The Post on June 21 that during the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers had struggled greatly to adapt to online teaching methods and technology.
“We create this new edtech to help teachers in teaching so that they can find skills and assistance in online teaching, new teaching methods, and use of technology to help in teaching,” she said.
Pichpisey said that because the edtech is new, Velocity Arcademy tries to bring something new to introduce to the teachers. She adds that they are currently working with some non-governmental organisations and schools to help develop the skills of the staff of these institutions.
“When teachers learn skills from us, they will then be able to apply these practices, experiences or skills to online or offline teaching,” she said.
“The teachers will be able to use it in their classrooms to make studying more efficient and their exams more transparent. Their students can learn in many new ways – not only by sitting and listening to the teachers, but also by learning to do it by themselves” said Pichpisey.
She added that Velocity Arcademy expects teachers to be able to use teaching techniques, skills and methods in the classroom derived from the latest research and practices from different countries.
“The education ecosystem in Cambodia needs attention from all stakeholders, especially practitioners. Lifelong learning is becoming a growing trend among adult learners and the working population for it is flexibility,” Velocity Arcademy said in a Facebook post on June 21.
It added that the Covid-19 pandemic had accelerated the adoption of digital learning and consequently, the global market value of education technology skyrocketed to $89.49 billion in 2020.
Interestingly, the Asia-Pacific market value is forecasted to grow at 22.6 per cent, while global markets are expected to grow at 19.9 per cent, from 2021 to 2028, said the Facebook post.
It said lifelong learning is becoming a growing trend among adult learners and the working population for it is flexibility and the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital learning.
“Velocity Arcademy introduces mobile learning and gamification to turn a rigid environment such as professional development for teachers into something more agile and liberal.
“The team is more than happy to help educational institutions, organisations and teachers through consultation and professional development,” it said.
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport spokesman Ros Soveacha told The Post on June 21 that his ministry welcomes the participation in improving the qualifications of teachers in all forms, especially by strengthening the capacity of teachers to use technology for teaching and learning, which is an important factor in continuing to improve the quality of digital education.
“We thank the relevant ministries and institutions, development partners, the private sector, parents, students and local authorities cooperative efforts to contribute to improving the quality of education for students before and during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
