Launch of apps proving a smart way to learn

Doncaster-based, I am Learning, is predicting a four-fold increase in turnover over the next four years to more than £2.5m, on the back of the increasing popularity of mobile technology among students.

The business will post record sales of £650,000 for the year to September – up from £415,000 last year.

The company now plans to release 70 apps for the iPhone and iPad after a successful pilot.

Director Mike Wilkinson said the company was aiming to tap into the mobile gaming culture to encourage “greater engagement in learning, anytime, anywhere”.

Mr Wilkinson said: “The world is becoming more mobile.

“Smartphones mean students now have huge amounts of computer power in their own pockets.

“They are demanding more from technology and from education. It’s our job to match their expectations and provide learning in a format that students find enjoyable.

“We need to enable students to access learning whenever and wherever they want.

“These apps will allow them to continue their learning when they have 10 minutes free on the school bus.

“Notebooks, tablets and smart phones are becoming the preferred technology of the 21st century. It’s a huge growth sector and we need to respond to that demand.”

Mr Wilkinson set up i-education with fellow director and joint major shareholder Steve Holt in June 2007.

Previously, they worked together at the City Learning Centre in Doncaster on projects to integrate ICT into the curriculum.

Two years ago, they established Doncaster’s D-hub, where they created incubator units for creative and digital businesses.

“We wanted to create an environment where there would be synergy between ourselves and other companies so we could collaborate on projects and attract business,” said Mr Holt.

I am Learning is used by more than 1,000 schools and 500,000 pupils across the country. The company has a strong presence in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The company encourages students to learn by combining tests with popular computer games,

The company has its own in-house development team which creates all its games.

Its major customers are schools and local education authorities, but it hopes its apps will help to increase the number of home subscribers.