Founded by a team of experienced and talented people, Shikho Technologies aims to democratize education and help children around the world learn the skills they need to succeed in life. They currently offer courses in maths and science for children in grades nine to twelve. They also plan to expand their offering to include courses in a variety of subjects, including coding, writing, and web design. The company’s goal is to help kids become more creative, innovative, and independent through online courses.
Aims to democratize education
Using the power of technology, Bangladeshi startup Shikho career aims to democratise education. It is a hyper-localized digital learning ecosystem that offers courses based on the Bangladeshi national curriculum. It is a platform for students to learn at their own pace, interact with other students, and participate in educational activities. It is also a way for students to engage with experts and other communities of interest.
Shikho is built by a team of engineers, educators, and product designers. Its mission is to create a world class mobile learning application that will transform the way students learn in Bangladesh. The company’s latest funding round gives it the ability to implement its long term plans.
Shikho’s platform has been downloaded more than 20,000 times. The company’s mobile app awards points to students for their activities. It also awards achievement points to students who complete certain courses. Students are also given digital badges for their accomplishments.
Courses for grades 9-10
Currently, Shikho is offering courses for grades 9-10 mathematics. But the app is also set to launch new courses for the Higher Secondary Certificate syllabus in the near future. It is also planning to expand its services to Bangladeshi students in the future.
The Shikho app offers animated video lectures, a library of questions, and interactive elements for peer collaboration. It also uses gamification to encourage student engagement. The app is free to download for seven days. Currently, subscribers spend more than 25 minutes a day on the app.
Shikho’s gamification concept was inspired by the Nike Run Club app. It uses virtual awards and points to encourage students to engage with its content. The Shikho app also has a recommendation engine. It has already seen positive results since its beta launch.
Plan to expand to grades 9-12
Founded by Zeeshan Zakaria, who has over a decade of educational leadership experience, Shikho Technologies is a digital learning ecosystem that targets the Bangladeshi National Curriculum. It aims to provide students with a world-class learning experience at an affordable price. Its online platform will provide access to high-quality instruction and professional instructors, while also allowing students to learn at their own pace.
Shikho has already secured top-tier global investment from Learn Capital, a global ed-tech investor. Its latest funding round also includes LearnStart, a US-based investor and Ankur Nagpal, founder of online course platform Teachable.
Currently, the app offers mathematics courses for grades 9 to 10. Students spend more than 25 minutes a day on the app. They also earn achievement points for their efforts. Shikho also uses leaderboards to keep students engaged. They can compete against their friends.
Challenges in convincing guardians to consider online education as a substitute for traditional after-school learning
During the recent school shutdowns in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, 1.4 billion students were left outside of their classrooms. This unprecedented demand, coupled with the digital divides between students, exacerbated the gap in digital literacy between children.
In order to effectively participate in the online world, children need to have a strong knowledge of digital literacy. They also need to have the skills and confidence to use the online environment safely and responsibly. They should also be given access to safe, reliable, and affordable internet access.
Many children who lived in rural areas, were indigenous, or lived in remote areas had difficulties accessing the online environment. Rural children were also less likely to participate in formal education. In addition, many families faced economic challenges, which made it difficult for them to access educational opportunities. Moreover, children in low-income families often have a history of social discrimination, which makes it more difficult for them to attend school.