A North East start-up is helping GCSE students across the UK with their last minute revision by offering free access to its online study guides.

Newcastle-based Soundbitelearning UK Ltd, which is backed by funding from the region’s Design and Creative Fund, has created GCSEPod – offering over 90 hours’ of online study guides.

 

And the company, which was set-up last autumn by Anthony Coxon and Ian Thompson, is making its entire library free to view until June 24 when this year’s exams end.

 

GCSEPod hopes to change the way students learn and revise and currently covers seven core subjects including English Language, Religious Studies, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry and Biology which can be viewed by visiting www.freeGCSEPod.co.uk.

 

By providing a cost effective alternative to the traditional text book, the company is tapping into the growing market for online learning products as schools and students move towards digital learning.

 

Director at Soundbitelearning, Anthony Coxon, explains: “This is the first exam season that we have been trading and for the next couple of weeks GCSEPod will become FreeGCSEPod. Hopefully it can help students obtain the grades they’re looking for.

 

“Our podcasts are very easy-to-use, closely matched to the school curriculum and are tailored to individual student needs. By giving free access to our content for a short period we hope to help this year’s students as well as promoting the benefits of the products.”  

 

The podcasts are written by teachers and narrated by voice over artists and can be downloaded to computer, mobile phone or iPod.  Each one is broken into several bite-size chapters and includes music and images to enhance the learning experience.

 

Anthony added: “Around 30 per cent of learning resources in primary and secondary schools are already delivered digitally and this will grow significantly as online access and the movement towards digital learning continues to grow. We hope to tap into this market by creating an enjoyable, accessible and valuable learning experience for students.

 

The Design and Creative Fund, which is managed by North East Finance, invests in young businesses with strong commercial prospects across the design and creative sectors. It is supported by money from regional development agency One North East with investments typically in the region of £60,000.

 

Jon Bradford, Design and Creative fund manager at North East Finance, said: “GCSEPod has created some incredibly innovative and exciting online content with the potential to help a great number of young people.

 

“The online learning market is expanding rapidly and we’re delighted that our funding is helping the company to achieve commercial success.”

 

For more information about GCSEPod visit www.gcsepod.co.uk  

 

ENDS

 

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