The Mindspark by Educational Initiative (Ei Mindspark) is an adaptive learning platform that utilises artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven algorithms to personalise education for students in subjects like Mathematics and English.
The Mindspark by Educational Initiative (Ei Mindspark) is an adaptive learning platform that utilises artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven algorithms to personalise education for students in subjects like Mathematics and English. The initiative tailors content based on individual strengths and weaknesses, with proven success in improving learning outcomes worldwide.
In South Africa, HG&H Pharmaceuticals, part of the Halls Group, and JET Education Services partnered with Paul Flowerman to support the Mindspark Learner Education Programme pilot in six Quintile 1 to 3 primary schools in Mitchell's Plain in the Western Cape. Despite challenges like IT equipment issues and unstable internet connectivity due to load shedding, the pilot has been successfully implemented in these schools for the last 30 months.
The Mindspark programme has been well-received by principals, teachers and students due to its alignment with the South African national curriculum (National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement or CAPS). JET aligned the programme content with the curriculum, effectively addressing students' learning gaps and improving their understanding of core subjects, as evident in improved academic progress.
Through annual training workshops, ongoing support and continuous communication, the JET facilitators have monitored the monthly usage of the programme and how the teachers can integrate the topics into their weekly lessons. A notable feature of the Mindspark programme is empowering teachers to use data-driven insights to identify individual learning gaps and tailor their teaching strategies accordingly This approach, which amplifies the impact of personalised learning, fosters more effective classroom interventions and differentiation.
To ensure sustainability, JET has identified Mindspark teacher ‘champions’ at each school. This has helped promote continuous engagement with the platform when the JET facilitators rotate among schools during the week and cannot be present at all schools all the time. A positive outcome of the pilot has been that over 60% of students logged into the Mindspark platform outside of school, demonstrating extensive engagement with the programme and its widespread accessibility, especially in communities that experience challenges with the availability of data. This outcome is encouraging as it indicates that students are motivated to use the programme beyond their normal lessons and without support from their teachers.
Furthermore, students' enthusiasm can be seen from the number of rewards (Sparkies) they achieve for completing various online tasks. In 2023, the total number of Sparkies awarded to the 1 443 students participating in the Mindspark programme across all six schools was 1 602 413. This equates to an average of 1 110 Sparkies per student.
Comparing the results of assessments conducted in July and November 2023, the table below highlights the improvement in the scores of Grade 5 and Grade 6 learners who participated in the Mindspark Pilot from July to November. Significant improvement is evident, with one school achieving average improvements of 4% in Grade 5 and 6% in Grade 6.
SCHOOL
GRADE
ENROLLMENT
(NOV 23)
AVERAGE JULY RESULTS IN %
AVERAGE NOV RESULTS IN %
#1 Primary School
GR 5
GR 6
169
183
32%
45%
38%
56
#2 Primary School
GR 5
GR 6
108
93
37%
46%
41%
55%
#3 Primary School
GR 5
GR 6
98
113
51%
58%
57%
65%
#4 Primary School
GR 5
GR 6
95
97
48%
57%
54%
70%
#5 Primary School
GR 5
GR 6
115
112
41%
52%
55%
63%
#6 Primary School
GR 5
GR 6
149
111
38%
44%
39%
48%
Ei Mindspark also proved effective in remediation; the average improvement from July to November across all schools for Grade 5 students was 6.2% and for Grade 6 students the average improvement was 9.5% The partnership between HG&H, Ei Mindspark, Paul Flowerman and JET hopes to make a positive contribution to South Africa's educational landscape by fostering personalised, adaptive learning for Grades 4 to 7 that will improve learner outcomes.
Partners
Paul Flowerman based in the U.S
Paul Flowerman is a purpose-driven leader who strives to be a "Force for Good" in everything he undertakes. He is a husband, father, entrepreneur, PLT stakeholder, and EdTech social entrepreneur with a deep commitment to impact and innovation. He plays a key role at PLT Health Solutions, a company renowned for discovering, developing, and marketing high-quality, scientifically supported ingredient solutions for the natural products and food & beverage markets. With over 60 years of experience and a strong network of global strategic partnerships, PLT helps customers create breakthrough concepts, develop new products, and grow successful brands. The company prides itself on creativity, integrity, and a culture of enabling success for its people, customers, and partners. In the education sector, [Your Name] channels his energy and resources into scaling Mindspark, an innovative platform from Educational Initiatives. Mindspark is a cost-effective, AI-informed, gamified, and personalised digital learning system for K-10 students. It covers math, science, and literacy in 10 languages and is designed to meet the learning needs of diverse classrooms with more than 35 students. His work is focused on accelerating Mindspark’s reach and impact across India, South Africa, and new global markets, helping to transform learning outcomes at scale.
HG&H Pharmaceuticals
Hg&h Pharmaceuticals is a South Africa-based company specializing in the development and commercialization of botanical supplements for the nutraceutical sector. Headquartered in Bryanston, the company is best known for its flagship product, Zembrin®—a standardized extract of Sceletium tortuosum that has been the subject of clinical research. Hg&h Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to advancing scientifically supported natural health solutions, serving the global nutraceutical industry with a focus on innovation and efficacy.
Halls Fresh Produce (HFP)
The Halls Group operates a diversified portfolio of businesses across the sectors of fresh produce, property development, pharmaceuticals, technology, and financial services. Established in 1890 as a farming enterprise in South Africa’s Lowveld, the Group has evolved into a multifaceted organisation with multinational operations and global ambitions. Despite significant transformation in its business model over the decades, Halls remains a family-owned company, steadfast in upholding the founding values that have guided its journey. With a longstanding commitment to the communities in which it operates, the Group actively contributes to the well-being and development of those it serves. Rooted in a distinctive heritage, Halls is dedicated to building on its legacy, with a clear focus on creating enduring value for future generations.
Credits
Edutech Institute
Edutech Institute is transforming and standardizing the way students learn by leveraging technology to deliver personalized education at scale. The organization envisions a world in which every student with access to a laptop or computer can embark on an individualized learning journey, tailored to their unique strengths and areas for improvement. Through this approach, Edutech aims to significantly enhance core competencies across its user base.
At the heart of Edutech’s mission is the commitment to providing personalised learning experiences for every student. The Institute promotes self-paced learning, enabling learners to address misconceptions and gaps in understanding as they arise. By harnessing advanced educational software, Edutech first identifies each student’s learning gaps, then designs and delivers targeted, customised programs to address those specific needs, empowering learners to progress with confidence and clarity.
