SmartSteps English

The current digital era of education demands that educators proactively adapt their teaching strategies and utilise innovative tools to tailor learning experiences that address the diverse needs of pupils. However, conventional grammar instruction often presents limitations in engaging learners with diverse learning styles, with predominant passive methodologies and practices. Compounding this issue is the limited availability of centralised, readily accessible, high-quality learning resources that align with the Standards-Based English Language curriculum (SBELC), further hindering effective grammar acquisition in primary education. To address these gaps, SmartSteps English was developed as a dynamic, digitalised platform that spearheads both teacher and learner-centred pedagogies. Aligned with the SBELC, this platform delivers interactive modules and structured lessons that are accessible and engaging. This pioneering digital platform further distinguishes itself through interactive exercises designed to foster active engagement and incorporates gamified elements that have been empirically demonstrated to enhance pupils’ motivation. Additionally, SmartSteps English prioritises 21st-century learning through contextualised activities and collaborative tasks that extend beyond the traditional classroom environment, making it a strategic flipped-classroom tool. The efficacy of SmartSteps English was empirically evaluated through a pre-test and post-test study conducted with a sample of Year 4 respondents (N=25). The results indicated that 100% of respondents successfully achieved the specified learning objectives, with statistically significant improvement in grammar mastery observed post-observation. The findings strongly conclude that SmartSteps English is a robust, promising solution for the demands of 21st-century education.