Online learning platform GuruPanda Sdn Bhd concluded its first round
of crowdfunding with pitchIN on 15 November 2021, successfully
attracting investments totalling RM500,000.
The monies
are slated to fund the company’s expansion plans which will see a
brand-new app, new user interfaces and attractive features to encourage
more participation from its existing subscribers as well as attracting a
wider base.
“We also eventually hope to incorporate AI
and Big Data onto our platform. This is the future of e-Learning, and we
want to ensure that we remain competitive and attractive as the
industry grows, and offer our subscribers the latest learning
applications,” says founder Kingsley Ting.
Launched in
January 2021, GuruPanda is an e-Learning platform for children aged
between 4 and 15 years old, with the various offerings in its stable
based on the Malaysian education syllabus.
The
platform’s learning programmes are presently divided into two - English
and Bahasa Malaysia content for children between the ages of 4 - 7, and
Mandarin content for the 10 - 15-year-old group, based on the SJKC
syllabus for Science, Math, History and Mandarin Language. Programmes
for the 8 - 9-year group will eventually be included. GuruPanda also
provides music courses on their platform for young children.
“Our
first initiative moving forward will be a new app that will enable
subscribers to access the learning programmes on the go. This will be
available for all three operating systems namely IOS, Android and
Harmony,” says Ting.
With the launch of this app,
projected for the first quarter of next year, GuruPanda is looking to
triple is subscriber base, especially tapping into the Malay market to
widen students’ access to affordable and quality e-Learning options. At
subscriptions of between RM130 to RM220 annually, GuruPanda is the most
affordable animated, cartoon-based learning platform in Malaysia.
“Our
programmes are very digitally interactive and offer complete and
high-quality content that suit each child’s learning level,” Ting adds.
True
to its objective to make education fun, engaging, accessible and
affordable for everyone, the planned new interfaces will increase the
gamification and animation elements of the programmes.
“Currently,
students take tests and quizzes and play games in the learning process,
collecting badges as rewards. The new interface will be more
interactive and we plan for students to be able to exchange these badges
for physical prizes such as laptops and mobile phones as well as
in-programme avatars and cartoon characters.”
GuruPanda
is presently only available in Malaysia, with a subscriber base of some
6,000 users. The company is poised to break into the regional market
with a Mandarin language programme, taught in Thai, next year. Expansion
plans into Indonesia and Vietnam are also in the pipeline.
“Our
goal is to develop GuruPanda into a household name, both in Malaysia
and SEA nations, that is synonymous with Fun, Accessible and Effective
Learning,” Ting says.
Towards this end, the company is
anticipating investments in its next crowdfunding initiative, seeking
partners and investors who share the same mind-set of expanding
e-Learning facilities. For more information on GuruPanda, visit the
website at www.gurupanda.com.my
About GuruPanda
A
Malaysian EdTech start-up, GuruPanda offers e-Learning programmes for
children based on the current local syllabus. Content for the various
subjects offered are designed and created by teachers with more than 30
years’ experience and cover English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, STEAM,
Mathematics, Pendidikan Islam, Science Experiments, Music and Story
Time. It is the most affordable and the only e-Learning platform using
animated cartoons in Malaysia, with a wide use of interactive interfaces
that make learning fun.
Dr Suseela Balakrishnan, Head of Design, Monitoring & Evaluation,
Nina Adlan Disney, General Manager Education Development, Zulhaimi
Othman, Managing Director of LeapEd and Brian John Ambrosio, Head of
State Education Advisory Services)
Recently, I took some time off to attend a dialogue session titled
'Education in the 21st Century - Our Impact', which was organised by
LeapEd Services (‘LeapEd’) and focused on their flagship Trust Schools
Programme (TSP 1.0). It was an insightful session for all of us as we
learned more about the efforts implemented for education transformation
in Malaysia.
The Impact Study revealed that the programme has had an overall positive impact in Malaysia’s education sector
LeapEd was established as a Social Enterprise in 2010, and is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad. They’re also
Malaysia's first homegrown education service provider! LeapEd aims to
enrich lives through capacity-building and education transformation and
has impacted over 71,000 students in 160 schools through its various
intervention models
such as the District Transformation
Programme- AMAN ('DTP-AMAN'), Islamic School Enhancement Programme
('ISEP'), Group-up School Transformation ('GUSTO') programme, Program
Sekolah Transformasi ('PreSTasi'), as well as the nation's first Trust
Schools Programme (TSP 1.0) to date. Their Education Philosophy revolves
around leaners, for them to realise their innate potential. This in
return will add value to their communication skills as a whole.
TSP
1.0 is LeapEd's flagship programme designed to develop holistic
students with 21st century capabilities, and is carried out in
collaboration with Yayasan AMIR and the Ministry of Education.
TSP 1.0 looks at improving student outcomes and revitalising school
culture. Since its roll-out in 2011, the TSP 1.0 has impacted over 5,300
parents and 65,000 students in 83 schools across 12 states in Malaysia.
By empowering school administration and leadership team (school
management, teachers, students and parents), TSP 1.0 hopes to develop
schools that embed sustainable educational practices for the future.
Speaking
at the dialogue session, Managing Director of LeapEd Services Sdn Bhd,
En Zulhaimi Othman said, "The Trust Schools Programme was designed with
the future generations in mind. Over the past 9 years, we have worked
closely with our strategic partners such as the Ministry of Education
and Yayasan AMIR to develop and implement the programme across schools
in Malaysia, equipping students with the critical life skills they
require as well as transforming schools in a holistic manner by adapting
international best practices." This recent study was conducted to
review the effectiveness of TSP 1.0, identifying opportunities to
further enhance the model moving forward.
Brian John Ambrosio, Head of State Education Advisory Services, speaking at the dialogue session
Increase in professional competencies
The Impact Study was carried out via mixed methodologies involving
surveys, interviews and observations with over 3,000 respondents
including school staff, students and parents. The study
also
revealed that 95% of secondary school teachers and 76% of primary school
teachers moved by at least 1 level up the scale, of Starting to
Developing or Enhancing to Extending.
Moving up the scale
indicates a paradigm shift in the level of knowledge, skills, thinking,
pedagogy and practice, showcasing growth in the teachers’ career. In
many cases, professionals may not even experience one level of shift
throughout their entire career as it requires continuous self-reflection
and growth mindset.
Respectively, 86% of primary and 91% of
secondary Middle Leaders observed a minimum progression of 1 level. As
for the Senior Leadership team, 76% of primary and 83% of secondary
Senior Leaders indicated a minimum progression of 1 level. Of the 124
Middle Leaders surveyed, 8% indicated a progress of 3 levels, equivalent
to a very high level of teaching excellence. The study also showed that
TSP 1.0 has had a positive impact on the professional competencies of
school staff, allowing them to nurture students and provide quality
learning in the classrooms.
High quality teaching and learning
Over 3,139 students and parents interviewed reported that students
under TSP 1.0 received quality teaching. The study also shows that
parents reacted positively to the programme as they observed an increase
in opportunities for students to be involved in the life of the
schools, as well as an increase in the frequency and level of
interaction between schools, parents and the wider community.
Furthermore, school climate is both a strong influencer of students'
life satisfaction, well-being and student outcomes.
TSP 2.0 Underway
The TSP 1.0 approach focuses on working collaboratively with the
school management team, teachers, students, parents and the community.
In order, to ensure that the programme remains sustainable and scalable,
the impact study also identified opportunities to further enhance the
transformation model. An area that was identified is customising
interventions depending on the individual need of each school. This will
allow expansion of the model to better cater to groups with specific
needs such as indigenous and minority groups, students with special
needs, as well as to those in rural communities.
Zulhaimi added,
"We believe that investing in education is the smartest decision one
can make. Education provides opportunity which in turn empowers people,
cultivates creativity and improves confidences and self-belief. Through
the Impact Study, we have seen how the Trust School Programme has
positively impacted the lives of teachers, students and parents.
Leveraging on the success and learnings of this programme, we are
committed to continue working with our partners to implement a new and
enhanced model, TSP 2.0, which will be aligned to global trends and
national aspirations."
The TSP 1.0 transformation approach focuses on public-private partnership ('PPP') outreach model, working collaboratively with school leadership teams, teachers, students, parents and the community. To ensure that the programme remains transformative, sustainable and scalable, the research also identified opportunities to further enhance the programme. Some of the areas identified including customising interventions, depending on the individuals needs of schools. This will allow expansion of the model to better cater to groups with specific needs such as indigenous and other minority groups, students with special needs, as well as rural and under-enrolled schools.
Hence, TSP 2.0 is the next evolution of LeapEd's Trust School Programme, which leverages on the success and learnings of TSP 1.0 Designed as a model that is both sustainable and scalable, TSP 2.0 has been launched in 2019 in selected Malaysian public schools.
Zulhaimi added, "We believe that investing in education is the smartest decision one can make. Education provides opportunity which in turn empowers people, cultivates creativity and improves confidences and self-belief. Through the Impact Study, we have seen how the Trust School Programme has positively impacted the lives of teachers, students and parents. Leveraging on the success and learnings of this programme, we are committed to continue working with our partners to implement a new and enhanced model, TSP 2.0, which will be aligned to global trends and national aspirations."
With TSP 1.0, students will be able to thrive in the 21st century
global environment through five critical life skills of confidence,
communication, creativity, critical thinking and co-existence.
This
intervention model sees school administration teams, teachers and
parents work together towards developing the potential of every learner.
I sincerely hope that more corporations would come onboard and support
this transformation journey as funds are very much needed in this
public-private partnership. If you’re interested to find out more, do
check out their website: www.leapservices.com
With busy active lifestyle, I found out that my car's reverse sensor is not working the day I went to collect the cake in Kuala Lumpur. There was another car wanting to park my parking spot. I had to reverse and I notice my car's sensor has no sound of beeping at all. I do worry if I am going to reverse into another car which is opposite lane of me. The driver that wanted my parking lot didn't want to me help me at all. Sean was holding the cake so he couldn't help me to see too. I got to slowly drive out of the parking lot.
I am happy that finally I have got the car reverse sensor changed. It cost RM150 for the set, yeah we did go through some shops to find out the price. There's one shop which is just next to 99 speedmart, it cost RM250 which is too expensive so we didn't want to change there. There's another shop which is same roll of the shoplot but its also near to the LRT station. It's new shop perhaps that still have the red cloth hanging on their shop's entrance.
Just two hours of changing and I got my car back. I was told there's one year warranty for it. My car is almost 9 years old, eventually I wanted a PINK MYVI which is Limited Edition but didn't go for it. I was told need to wait for at least 3 months for the car and it's also limited edition mean that is limited only available on selected outlet.
How about you? What color is your car? Is it your dream car?
Good evening to my dear readers and friends. How did you spend your last weekend? Today is Wednesday and it was the last day for Sean's school's tuition for this school holiday. He had a good time last week. I had sign up him for the Johan Speaking Academy for the Kids Tour Guide. It's a good outdoor experience for him and at the same time we get to know more about the farm animals.
This place we visited is Farm in the City, time fly as we last went was year 2014.
The first day he had to attend the Kids Tour Guide program at Johan Speaking Academy at TTDI, this where he gets to know about what he got to do there and the team he will be in. Second day as you can see its the Farm in the City, the first hour they will tour the farm and know about the animal following a staff of farm to show them the way and explaining to them about the animal.
Sean attended the Kids Tasty Speech not long ago and it's his first time taking part in Kids Tour Guide. It's interesting program for children as they are put in group in a team of four person. Each is given a task and to remember the animal that they need to introduce to the tourist and let them know about the habitat of the animal. It's not going to be easy as they need to face the public to talk and show them the correct animal. They are tortoise and turtle farm, with wide range of rare and exotic tortoises and turtles. They explained to tourist that they are not allow to sit on the giant tortoises that they saw but they are allow to feed them. Sean's with his team members, he needs to talk about ostrich and goats to the tourists about the longevity of their lifestyle.
Everyday children are busy with their education and other activities which is planned by the parents. It's nice to enroll them to something different like kids public speaking. This give them chance to speak up and know more about them too. Through this Kids Tour Guide by Johan Speaking Academy I got to know of Sean's favorite animals.
Kids Tour Guide photo with the tourist
There's difference between Kids Tasty Speech and Kids Tour Guide as Kids Tasty Speech the kids stayed indoor while this they need to be outdoor to have real life experience and close to nature and animal.
With total of 15 Kids Tour Guide, after their have finished the Kids Tour Guide, they are given a chance to speak up about their favourite animal and ambition.
Each of them will have to queue up first to pick on a paper and they will open to see what is the number. This number represent when they will speak up on stage. Sean's was the 2nd to go on stage.
Thank you Johan and Cherry for the guidance, Sean has done a good job as Kids Tour Guide and we are proud of him.
The certificates are given to each one of them. There are two types of certificate, one is Johan Speaking Academy of Kids Tour Guide another is the certificate of Farm In The City. After that we can continue stayed in there until 6pm if we wish to. As the farm only closed at 6pm.
Sean's continue his good time at the farm, he carefully handle the chick and give the tourist to hold.
There are food machines at the farm where tourist can purchase them to feed the animal. Sean's little brother had a good time, he ride on the horse a round for RM7. It's first time he ride a horse.
If you have interest to know more about Johan Speaking Academy, click on the link. They have Kids Public Speaking and Teen Public Speaking. They have 10 weeks Kids Public Speaking. They also have short program for the children.
It's been a busy week for me, 2 nights ago just settle for YS to take the online exam. Last year he failed in the online exam for the KPM as he do it too quickly. This year he manage to pass as he took time to think and answer the questions. I am happy that this time we are able to print out the Ujian UKM1 2016.He was nervous when clicking for the next button.
Next still not settle is entering his little brother for enter his primary school for 2018. The information has come that this year can register not just for 2017 but also 2018 for children born in year 2010 and 2011.
Registration period has started it's from 1 March to 30 April 2016.
Monday to Friday (except for Public Holiday)
Time 8am to 4.30pm.
Requirement of documents to bring along:
Online registration form need to have a copy for school. (online registration is at http://public.moe.gov.my the school for my son is at daerah PPD Petaling Perdana)
Birth certificate (original and photostat copy)
Photostat IC of mom/dad (original and photostat copy)
Marriage certificate or Divorce cert
2 white envelope with the standard size of 14cm - 25cm X 9cm -16.5cm
If brother/sister is studying in the school, will need their birth cert copy and state on which class they are in.
Looks like only next week I can go to school for registration as I need to purchase the white envelope.
How about you? Have you registered your child that born in the year of 2010 and 2011.
Other than that, I was told by tuition center that children aged 6 years old can start enroll for tuition classes in tuition center.
It's been a while since I last watch a movie with loved ones, I think I saw a movie few weeks back it was a Malay movie named "Suamiku Jatuh Dari Langit".
This morning while waiting my son from kindergarten, I heard the radio station FM says be first caller through now to get chance to win movie passes to watch Fantastic Four. Wait no more, I find the number on my phone which I saved. I am first caller through and Linora DJ says just answer a simple question to win.
I didn't know where is the movie will be screening in which cinema or how many movie tickets I have won. So I just need to wait for their call or SMS to find out. It's been sometimes since I last won movie passes from MIX FM.
Tomorrow morning as early as 7am my bro will send my dad to hospital in Sungai Long as my dad needs to have his eyes laser. He's been complaining of eyes pain and he found out that he had diabetes when he was in Kajang Hospital admission few days due to dengue fever. He is only going home in the evening after the laser.
I don't know the details as I am not in Mahkota Cheras with him. My dad says the doctor that in charge has an clinic in Subang USJ, Subang Jaya. I am not sure of this as I ask him of the doctor name but he didn't tell me anything about it. I noticed his eyes for sometimes and I knew something is not right but didn't know that he got diabetes. My mom is worry of him too, so she's always calling him to ask.
Tomorrow, son has tuition because he's poor in BM so tuition teacher is concerns of him so ask him to go tuition. He's not alone as other children that tuition together is going to tuition if they are not going back hometown or anywhere for holiday.
Not forgetting to wish my readers and followers who are celebrating Hari Raya.
I attended the ChiChi & ChaCha media invite, it was a rainy day. I manage find parking and Talent Lounge Cafe was not far from my car. During the registration, I met Kaylee the PR, I called her up earlier to ask of the location as it's my first time there.
BIG FISH MEDIA IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE NEXT WAVE OF CHILDREN'S EDUTAINMENT WITH 'CHICHI & CHACHA', AIRING ON ASTRO CERIA and ASTRO MAYA HD ON THE 11th of OCTOBER.
Explore a world of fun, games, adventure and learning with 'ChiChi & ChaCha', premiering on Astro Ceria (Channel 611) and Astro Maya HD (Channel 135) on the 11th of October, every Saturday from 10.30am. The episodes will re-run 3 times a day, everyday from Monday to Friday (13 episodes x 30 minutes). This edutainment is suitable for children from kindergarten to early primary (ages 6 to 8), 'ChiChi & ChaCha' is an energetic, fun-filled learning and entertainment programme for children.s
Featuring a dynamic group of high energy TV hosts, 'ChiChi & ChaCha' utilises various medium such as song, dance, music, as well as 3D animation to create a positive environment that teaches as well as entertains. This is Malaysia's first programme that synergises a hyrid world of live action and 3D animation.
A group photo with the VVIP on stage with the adorable characters of 'ChiChi & ChaCha'.
Don't forget mark your calendar for the 'ChiChi & ChaCha', premiering on Astro Ceria (Channel 611) and Astro Maya HD (Channel 135) on the 11th of October, every Saturday from 10.30am
'ChiChi & ChaCha' is the Intellectual Property of Big Fish Media, a joint venture between Educate to Level (e2L) and Kyanite TV. Coming from one of the premier production houses in Malaysia, Kyanite TV has been invovled with high end quality production like Jejak Jepun Bersama Zizam (Astro), Chalk & Cheese (AFC), Letting Go with Jojo Struys (Mediacorp), Yuna Inspired (Astro) and many others. E2L is an advanced learning hub that focuses on the training and development of teaching children and is an expert in the field of quality childcare development and early childhood education. The partnership between Kyanite TV with e2L is the ideal venture-ship to create Malaysia's next edutainment movement.
It is through the unrelenting passion of the Executive Producer of Big Fish Media, Farah Mahami binti Tan Sri Datuk Dr Mustapha Kamal that the concept of 'ChiChi & ChaCha' has come to life.
Watch below youtube for the 'ChiChi & ChaCha' showreel
My youngest loves the 'ChiChi &ChaCha' t-shirt.
Who are the hosts?
They are the five friendly kid stars Astro, Harris, Afiq, Sweet, Leen and Farisha
'ChiChi & ChaCha' will be in the language of Bahasa Malaysia.
For more details, click on the links below to find out.
