KOA ACADEMY & THE BUSINESS OF AN ONLINE SCHOOL

As technology disrupts and transforms education across the world, the emergence of new and different models of online schooling is gathering pace.  In South Africa, high-engagement Koa Academy is currently standing out both for its business and academic models. 

Started in 2021, Koa Academy has succeeded in achieving continuous, steady growth at a scale that has helped them to implement high standards of digital learning and meet their requirement for online learning that is personalised and highly engaging.  Major milestones have included securing accreditation by the IEB (Independent Education Board) and nurturing its first cohort of Matric students in 2023 which achieved a 100% pass rate. 

Recently, Koa Academy won the 2023 MEST Africa Challenge, a collaboration with ABSA Bank that aims to empower African tech innovators. MEST Africa nurtures tech startups across Africa through training programs, seed funding and access to a network of hubs in the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.  

Lauren says, “On the business side, Koa attracted crucial investment from Enygma Ventures early on.  Our school has enjoyed great growth from the get-go with an average of an 18% increase month on month.  We have experienced consistent, sustainable growth which has been vital and currently have 500 pupils enrolled at the school.  With the learner at the centre of all that we do, we have to make sure that how we grow and expand always sets our learners up for success.  Because online learning is such a new, flexible space, we have been able to pivot and introduce new things with fantastic agility.  Our staff and our students have grown in tandem supported by adaptable systems designed to make room for growth in a sustainable way.”

Koa has pioneered the concept of 8-person Pods where learners engage regularly with dedicated Pod teachers who guide their learning experiences and foster socio-emotional learning.  Dynamic dashboards enable teachers, students and parents to gauge a learner’s progress on a daily basis.  The online space provides a myriad of opportunities for personalised learning pathways so that students take ownership of their own learning and engage with a variety of world-class learning materials that suit their learning styles.  Koa’s subject specialist teachers conduct workshops, master classes and if needed one-on-one sessions so that every learner is supported in mastering the curriculum to the best of their abilities.  

Koa’s Head of Academics, Jason Hutchinson says. “Online learning offers superior learning pathways that are out of bounds in the normal classroom setting.  At Koa, we’re able to offer the best practice that is a ‘flipped classroom’ where the learners engage with content at their own pace and in their own space, and then they come together with the teacher whose role it is to help learners refine, shape and deepen that learning.  This means that we are equipping learners for what university looks like as well as setting them up as lifelong learners, which they need to succeed in the modern world of work.  Learning should not be about a teacher.  Learning is about the person doing the learning, with the teacher there to facilitate, guide, curate and optimise their learning. One-on-one, personal engagement like this is easy in the online space, but a lot harder for the teacher standing up in front of a class of 25 or 35 or more.”

As far the business direction goes, Koa is looking towards expanding its horizons.  Lauren concludes, “We’re starting now to look at expanding in terms of other curricula and other languages, and to extend Koa’s reach beyond South Africa.  The online space is ideal for this.  We already have our South African school learners engaging daily with teachers who are based outside of SA, and some of our learners are also living abroad.  We’re really excited about where education is going and for the growing worldwide movement into online spaces.  It’s fantastic that we can reach anybody, anywhere with quality education, and to teach children in new, tech-supported ways that are relevant and engaging.

Discover Koa Academy, visit www.koacademy.com

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Discover the Future of Kids’ Safety and Connectivity — Meet the Freedom 2

It’s a Saturday morning at a bustling shopping mall in Johannesburg. Little Thando, full of curiosity, wanders off while his mom browses the toy aisle. In seconds, panic sets in — that heart-stopping moment every parent dreads. But unlike most stories, this one ends differently. Thando’s mom opens the Freedom 2 app, taps “Locate”, and within moments, she sees his exact position — just outside a nearby store. Relief floods over her as she spots him, still holding his ice cream, completely unaware of the worry he caused.

In a country like South Africa, where safety is always top of mind, the Freedom 2 isn’t just a gadget — it’s peace of mind on your child’s wrist. With increasing concerns about public safety, this smartwatch gives parents a practical way to stay connected and prevent tragedy before it happens.

✅ Why the Freedom 2 is a Must-Have

If you’re looking to give your child both freedom and safety, the Freedom 2 by Fabulously Fit is a standout. Designed with parents and kids in mind, this smart watch blends advanced technology with kid-friendly features — providing peace of mind for you and fun for them.

1. Stay Connected Anytime, Anywhere

With full 4G support, the Freedom 2 enables 2-way voice calls, video calls, text messaging, and even WhatsApp — letting your child reach you instantly, and you keep tabs on them with ease. 

2. Precision GPS Tracking for Added Safety

This smartwatch uses GPS + AGPS + LBS + WiFi to track your child’s position with 5–15 metre accuracy. Set up geo-fences — get alerts when your child enters or leaves a safe zone. Review their route playback. Activate an SOS alert if they need help. All this gives you real-time confidence. 

3. Dual Cameras, Smart Tools & Kid-Friendly Features

Your child can snap photos or make video calls with a dual-camera setup. The watch also includes smart tools: WhatsApp, MP4 player, voice recorder, class-schedule tracker, math games — blending safety with learning and fun. 

4. Durable Performance & Long Battery Life

Built on Android 4.4 with 2 GB RAM + 4 GB ROM, a Nano-SIM slot for connectivity, and a robust 1 000 mAh polymer battery. It also features a 1.69″ IPS colour touchscreen (240×280 pixels) and modes for vibration, voice or silent notification — ideal for in-class use without distraction. 

5. Designed with Kids in Mind

A “No Disturb” mode ensures the watch won’t interrupt learning time. A pedometer and sleep monitor support wellness tracking. Remote monitor and remote shutdown features let you discreetly check that everything’s okay. 

🎯 Why It Matters for Your Family

Modern parenting comes with a tough dilemma — you want your child to stay connected and safe, but you don’t want to hand them a smartphone too soon. Too much screen time, access to social media, and unrestricted internet exposure can harm focus, sleep, and emotional wellbeing.

The Freedom 2 offers the perfect balance. It gives parents the ability to call, message, and locate their child instantly — without placing a smartphone in their hands. Your child gets independence and responsibility; you get reassurance and control. It’s connection with boundaries — the healthy middle ground every family needs.

🛍 Get Yours Now

Available in Blue, Pink, and Black, the Freedom 2 is ready to become your child’s everyday companion.

Shop now at Be a Boffin 

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University of Pretoria alumni innovate during times of crisis to bring a new online schooling platform to South Africa

The University of Pretoria (UP) has seen yet another EdTech start-up emerge into the South African market from its entrepreneurial ecosystem. Wingu Academy is a cloud-based platform offering educational support to homeschoolers, schools and tutor centres with an emphasis on quality, affordable education for the African continent. 

Wingu Academy boasts live classes and tutorials, 4IR aligned interactive online content and assistance with remote assessment. Wingu Academy has its head office on the University of Pretoria campus nestled in the TuksNovation accelerator program (UP’s high-tech business incubator and accelerator). 

Since the launch in May this year, Wingu Academy has seen rapid growth, with a vibrant community of schools, parents, tutor centres, students and tutors collaborating to bring a 4IR and social approach to learning. The growth has largely been organic, with word of mouth through digital channels delivering unprecedented interest. Interest has extended beyond South African borders to attract attention from neighbouring African countries including Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini and Zimbabwe, but has reached as far as Uganda, Rwanda, Angola, Malawi, Zambia and Kenya and even Asian and middle eastern markets with interest from Vietnam and Kuwait. Most families have sought an authentic, affordable and quality home-schooling solution. 

“We joined the Wingu family in June 2020. Being an academic and lecturer myself, I have high expectations of educational content, systems and facilitators or teachers.” Says Isabel, a lecturer at the University of Pretoria. “Our 11-year-old daughter has been homeschooled using the Cambridge curriculum for the past few years due to a health condition. We are truly impressed with the welcoming and supportive online community at Wingu. The exceptional online planform presents our children with the opportunity to engage with high tech education innovation with the personal touch of face to face teaching. The Wingu teaching methodology is in line with 21st-century teaching principles which will prepare our children with critical and independent thinking as well as tech skills for the 4th industrial revolution. The online platform is intuitive and interactive. It encourages children to take responsibility by preparing for lessons in a fun way using simulations and secret missions to solve problems. During face-to-face lessons, our children get the opportunity to engage with the content, a highly qualified facilitator and peers. Consolidation of new content is then done through homework activities and online quizzes. My daughter enjoys every moment at Wingu. Thank you for putting your passions into action and shaping our children’s future!” Says Isabel. 

The platform has been developed by UP alumni and post-graduate students from various backgrounds, teachers and in collaboration with researchers at the Wits School of Education. The focus of the platform is to deliver an international curriculum that is relevant globally. A truly blended approach is followed, with a focus on student-led learning, gamification, instant constructive feedback and alignment to the major international curriculums. The educational approach is at the forefront of the current state of the art.

“Wingu Academy created a quality, safe and efficient learning environment online while maintaining social contact. We have been homeschooling for one and a half years now. Wingu’s system provides face to face contact between educator and child and classmates. In each subject, the student interacts with the educator to clarify content, discuss problems and direct learning. I am a first-time mom of a teenager. But the past month I saw her mood improving and saw her enjoying her schoolwork.” Says Dr. Philips, from the Nelson Mandela University in Port-Elizabeth. 

Learners enrol to experience a platform catering to their needs, with a wide variety of choices to support individual learning at home, or to supplement a program followed at a tutoring centre or school. Ages 5 – 19 are catered for on the platform, and adult learners have shown significant interest. The platform is well suited for full-time learners, global citizens that travel frequently, star athletes that need to focus on training but still want an internationally recognised education, and students that would like to obtain entrance to university degrees either locally or abroad. 

The qualifications catered for allow entrance into all major universities globally including Ivy-league and Oxbridge universities. The international external exams are written at examination centres closest to the candidate’s home and are examined by the major UK based examination bodies. 

Enrolments for the international programs are still open, with an academic program that allows students to catch-up any lost work. Candidates transition from other examinations bodies are welcome to apply. 

Enrolments for specially designed programs in response to the COVID-19 disruptions for the current year is still open. Enrolments to start in January 2021 has also opened. There is limited space, so reach out soon. For further information about Wingu Academy, visit their website at www.wingu-academy.com

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VIDEO COMMUNICATION CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO OF TEACHING


Video communication is now more than ever challenging the status quo of teaching. The value of eLearning or video communication is being recognized by more and more organizations since it can produce significant results, including improved performance and productivity by learners. Using video conferencing for education has made classrooms walls invisible, allowing students to have the entire world as their learning resource.

‘Education across the world has a changed character, where reaching out to substantial knowledge isn’t impossible. Moreover, this technology has also helped in easy retention of knowledge in learners as visuals are always better remembered than words. Visual communication has double-fold benefits, both for the teacher and the taught as it opens up the door towards global learning,’ says Coleen Cronje, CEO of home education leader, Brainline.  

The influence of digital videos on our everyday culture is undeniable. Online video sharing sites such as YouTube and Vimeo boast monthly audience numbers in the millions. With digital videos continuing to gain popularity, it seems only natural that this familiar and widespread platform extends into the education setting. Remarkably, millennials make up 92% of the digital video viewing audience

‘Students today are utilizing educational videos as a tool for learning everything from changing a tire to the latest dance craze. Abstract topics that once seemed difficult to teach and learn are now more accessible and understandable thanks to the availability of educational videos,’ Cronje says.

Cronje says studies have shown that the use of short video clips allows for more efficient processing and memory recall. The visual and auditory nature of videos appeals to a wide audience and allows each user to process information in a way that’s natural to them.

‘A 2015 study conducted by software company Kaltura concluded that 93% of teachers believe that the use of educational videos improves the learning experience. Students involved in video communications are also more motivated and interested in the topic and are reported to have high levels of achievement in critical thinking and problem-solving when compared to students physically in the classroom.’

Cronje says in essence, schools are breaking down the invisible walls of learning and are joining geographically distanced learning communities, allowing students to access educators in ways not possible before.

‘In the world of the digital school, learners can feel lost without guidance and a tutor.  With our online live classes, which are saved for future reference, we address that need for the distance learner.  Gone are the days of the old model learner management systems with boring downloads and links.  This is the new era of a school at home, with all the support that one can expect in a traditional school, but on your own terms.’ says Cronje.

Brainline has been providing structures home education on a distance education model, to thousands of learners since 1987. Early in 2020 Brainline will also enhance its video education material by introducing virtual classes. Cronje says they are not afraid to push the boundaries when it comes to education for the new generation.

‘Brainline Cloud School will be the hub of teaching and the focus will be on the learner and innovation with regard to teaching and facilitation. Students can expect virtual classes, lesson plans, resources of value and relevance from qualified, lecturers. Lecturers will monitor student performance and intervene where learners who are at risk of failing are identified and placed into the strong grasp of the mentor programme. This is about contact with the learner and personal interaction.’

Brainline is IEB recognised, which means that learners follow the South African National curriculum (similar to the curriculum offered in South African schools) resulting in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) upon successful completion of their matric exams.

For more information on our services please visit www.brainline.com or email us on [email protected] 

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