In March 2015, the mobile learning platform “Classmate App”,jointly developed by Guizhou Radio and TV University (RTVU) and RTVU Online Distance Education Technology Co., Ltd.,began being formally distributed across the Guizhou RTVU system.

On an early spring morning, Cai Yingli opened her sleepy eyes in a twilight that appeared as clear water through her window. She got up,took up the iPad by her bed, opened the Classmate App, and turned the volume up to the maximum. “I get washed, have breakfast, and dress... all while listening to a course in the Classmate App. I spend almost every morning in this way.”

Cai Yingli said, “My life sounds somewhat funny. I learned Veterinary Science in junior college,but worked as an administrator after graduation. However, I have been more interested in accounting.” After considering of all the factors in her life, Cai made a long-term life plan. Her first step in enacting that plan was learning accounting at Guizhou RTVU.

To Cai Yingli, who has both a job and family, the Classmate App is all she could wish for. “A lesson can be learned in 5-minute audio and video segments. These lessons are short,but rich in content, with absolutely clear focus highlighting challenging points.”

 “I can learn anywhere, anytime: while waiting for the bus, before going to sleep, or even while cooking or going to the bathroom. You can make use of fragmented bits of time you can find or you haven’t even imagined you have,”said Cai Yingli.

The App has been widely downloaded by RTVU students as a platform for the extension of Guizhou RTVU micro classes. “This is a successful trial of micro classes in Guizhou’s RTVU system,” said Deputy Director Zhao Yong of Guizhou RTVU Academic Affairs Office.

 “A micro class boils the original 45-minute class down to five to eight minutes, cutting off the long prelude and conclusion, and keeping only challenging points and key concepts. The Classmate App is, after all, a mobile learning tool designed for efficient and convenient use by tutors and students at anytime and any place. Scheduling formative assessments and tutoring can also be made via mobile phones.”

Thus far, 28,981 students and 621 teachers and tutors at Guizhou RTVU experimental schools, branch schools, and work stations have registered to use the Classmate App, uploading a total of 2,738 various kinds of materials.

Zhu Sha is a 25 year-old junior majoring in Computer Science and Technology at Guizhou RTVU, while working in a patent office in Jinyang. She came to Guizhou RTVU because her job requires higher education and regular self-improvement.

Zhu Sha said, “It’s very easy to learn with the Classmate App.It’s a very effective supplementary way to help students like us who can’t attend regular class lessons to learn information we failed to understand in class.”

Guizhou RTVU Academic Affairs Office Deputy Director Zhao Yong said, “Since the course’s development, 108 micro classes related to a total of 61 open and vocational education courses have been developed, including 49 key courses pertaining to Guizhou RTVU key specialties and 11 open courses of the Open University of China (RTVU). They are available in various formats such as video, PPT, FLASH, and 3-D animation PPT.

The 42-year-old He Fengying works in a state-owned enterprise. She is already a master at her job, and an intermediate-level certified accountant. However, she wants to improve herself and continue progressing in business. Her academic performance presently leads her accounting class at Guizhou RTVU.

 “I’m busy with my accounting job at the company. Teachers carefully organize and summarize teaching resources, condensing courses into knowledge points via the Classmate App, which is very helpful,” said He Fengying to the journalist.As she ages, she feels her dreams are more valuable than ever, “No matter how old you are, you can never cease to learn. Knowledge makes people wise and far-sighted.”

By Yang Chunling and Li Yun,Guizhou Daily