Greenbook App from Zimapp Review

Zimapps, the developers of the Provisional License Test app have ventured into Educational apps. Their website notes that they have realized the potential of Edu-apps after massive market acceptance  of their Provisional Test Preparation app. Zimapps 'Green book" app is now available for download on their website.

I managed to download and install their apk file on my android device and perused through the apps contents. As a MATHS teacher I was just checking the arrangement and presentation of their questions. I expected to see past papers in pdf format and posible solution just like a hard copy green book.

Android App for Zimsec Video Lessons 

Features

The App comes at a time where many Zimbabweans in the diaspora and working class are registering for subjects like Maths, English and Science. The development of such apps provides conviniency for many since they can't buy the hard copies in the diaspora or just the portability conviniency.

DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW

Question Presentation

I was impressed by how the presentation of questions and posible answers. The questions are in large fonts and fit to screen. This is more convinient to students who use very small screens and those with poor sight. They can at least read the questions even from a distant.

Every question or part of the question displays on its page and there are three buttons for 'prev' , 'next' and 'solution'. This gives a student an opportunity to first attempt the questions and then click the 'possible solution' button to view the answers. 

Subjects 

On opening the app it gives you the option to chose for O Level or A Level. If you click the O level button there are currently 4 subjects with the past papers, which are Mathematics, English, Commerce and History. 

The Maths section has papers from June 2008 up to November 2014. I also checked the commerce section and there was only paper 1 for November 2014. I couldn't open the english section. The history had few papers also. 

The A level option can't open and displays the message "coming soon" 

The solutions come in a different color. The questions are in black and when you click the solution option, the possible answers come in purple/blue color. 

Areas that needs improvement 

1. There are no workings for the Maths solution.

The are just answers when you click the solution option. This makes it difficult for the student to understand how to work out the problem to arrive at the suggested solution. It's the same weakness that the Greenbook has and students find it difficult study on their own. 

2. The payment procedure is very long. They Intergrated Ecocash and Telecash wallets among other forms of payments. On Ecocash, the app directs you straight to the dialler but on TELECASH they provide a procedure which needs you to exit the app and message them at some point. 

There is need to adopt online payment systems like Paynow which accepts all debit and credit cards, including mobile wallets. 

3. On opening the App, it requires your name and surname, and the name of your school. 

There are many private candidates who can use the app than students in schools. The option might act as a restriction to the school going candidates only. 

NB: This review is based on personal experience with the app and have no strings attached to Zimapps. If you have any questions concerning the app, enquire on their website.