Anubis II Case Study: Solutions4elearning
Having been awarded £10,000 to invest in technology, all the winning companies took an innovative idea and weaved it into their businesses. Here is a summary of their successes thanks to the ANUBIS funding.
As universities gear up for a fresh intake of undergraduates, a Nottingham business is developing a technology solution to help schools and colleges increase their students’ chances of successfully applying for university places.
With an average of one hundred students per school or college applying for a university place every year, Solutions4elearning has produced an innovative online ePortfolio which helps both teachers and sixth formers with the applications process.
The company, which is based at Shipstones Business Centre in New Basford, has plans to have its web based software in seventy five schools by the end of the year.
Solutions4elearning was recently chosen as one of ten regional winners in the ANUBIS business technology competition. It won £10,000 to spend on developing the new technology.
The technology, called UniTrackerTM, is unique in so much as it is the only software which has been developed to help students write better quality personal statements which form part of the applications process.
Bluecoat School in Nottingham is currently using the UniTrackerTM ePortfolio system. Kathryn Hobbs, head of post-16, at the school, said:
“This will revolutionise the way we become involved in our students’ university applications. We recognise the value of the technology and see it as an investment to help our pupils get into higher education.”
Bluecoat School's head of post-16 Kathryn Hobbs
The web based service includes an interactive e-learning function which helps teach students about writing techniques, and helps structure their ideas for content; all of which aims to improve the quality of their personal statement. Students have to follow a step by step process which makes it easier to track the application in the school’s system.
The directors behind the company were school friends back in the early 1990s. Matt Green, schools’ liaison director and Andrew Ross, technical director, remained friends as they each went onto university and then pursued their individual careers.
“UniTracker is a unique concept in so much as it helps students right at the very beginning of the university applications process.
Preparation is vital. Investing in the preparation of the application will improve the students’ chances of success in applying to the university of their choice. It also helps cut administration time for teachers.”
Solutions4elearning Director Matt Green
The company is hoping to secure new contracts with local Nottinghamshire schools in the next few months.
The opportunity to sell the product into 3,500 sixth form institutions means the company has just recruited eight new sales people to provide a network of contacts nationally.
Tim Miller, managing director at EMNET, the company which ran the ANUBIS business competition said:
“The concept behind this technology ticked a lot of boxes in terms of innovation and enterprise. It is also testimony to the company’s vision in identifying a gap in the market where applying for university places remains very competitive.”
EMNET managing director Tim Miller
Commenting on the ANUBIS funding, Matt Green, said:
“The funding has allowed us to progress the business quicker and build up our sales and marketing strength. To have the £10,000 ANUBIS cash means we can plan and focus our strategy. This will help us go to market earlier than anticipated.”
Solutions4elearning Director Matt Green
Anubis Winner's Link: visit the Solutions4elearning website
