From Lecturer to Entrepreneur
Meet Chong Ming (and his spouse who co-founded Practicle)
Chong Ming’s journey into entrepreneurship began in the classroom. As a lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic under the Ministry of Education (MOE), he dedicated years to shaping young minds.
However, over time, he realized that his reach was limited—he could only impact a finite number of students within the confines of a physical classroom. Determined to make a broader difference, he and his wife took a bold step: they left the public education sector to build a solution that could help students beyond the traditional classroom setting.
This decision led to the birth of Practicle, a digital education platform revolutionizing the way students learn mathematics.
A Passion for Teaching and Innovation
Chong Ming’s passion for teaching didn’t wane when he left his lecturing position; instead, it found a new avenue through Practicle.
He saw firsthand the struggles that students faced with traditional learning methods, particularly in mathematics.
Inspired by assessment books that students relied on for extra practice, he envisioned a more effective way to reinforce learning—one that eliminated the need for flipping through pages and writing on paper while still strengthening critical thinking skills.
Revolutionizing Education Through AI and Gamification
Practicle started as a simple digital version of assessment books, but it quickly evolved into something much more powerful.
By integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), the platform could track a student’s learning progress and generate personalized questions tailored to their individual needs.
The AI ensured that each student was challenged at just the right level—difficult enough to promote growth but not so hard that it became a source of stress.
One of Practicle’s first success stories was a primary school student who disliked tuition.
His mother, hesitant but hopeful, subscribed to Practicle to give her child an alternative learning method. After consistent practice, the student walked into his exam feeling confident. To his mother’s surprise, he improved from a 68/100 to over 90/100. This experience highlighted the platform’s potential in transforming math education and making learning engaging.
The Science Behind Gamifying Learning
Gamification is a key component of Practicle, but it was far from a simple process. Chong Ming and his team had to go beyond just adding points, leaderboards, and character levels—they needed to ensure that the gamification elements enhanced learning without causing discouragement or addiction.
Balancing Competitiveness with Fairness: While a leaderboard and duel system encouraged competition, Chong Ming recognized that weaker students might feel demotivated if they consistently ranked at the bottom. To counter this, Practicle implemented a leveling system where students could progress at their own pace. For instance, an advanced student could earn 15 points by solving five Level 3 questions, while another student could earn the same amount by solving fifteen Level 1 questions. This design encouraged weaker students to keep practicing until they were confident enough to attempt harder questions.
Preventing Overuse and Burnout: A major challenge in gamification is preventing students from spending excessive hours on the platform just to level up. Research led Chong Ming to implement daily quests that provided adequate rewards while discouraging excessive grinding. These quests were designed to take 15 to 30 minutes to complete, ensuring that students received enough practice without overworking themselves.
Staying Ahead of the Players: Students are naturally creative when it comes to finding shortcuts. Some quickly discovered bugs that allowed them to repeat questions to earn rewards faster. This kept Chong Ming on his toes, continuously improving the system to maintain fairness and integrity in learning.
The Impact of Digital Education
Practicle has proven to be a game-changer for both students and parents.
The platform’s AI-driven personalized learning, coupled with gamification, has made mathematics more engaging and effective. Unlike traditional tuition, which can feel rigid and stressful, Practicle allows students to learn at their own pace, building confidence as they go.
Parents, too, have come to appreciate how the platform supports their children’s educational journey without the need for excessive drilling or rote memorization.
Vision for the Future of Learning
At its core, Practicle is a labor of love. Chong Ming and his wife are product-driven innovators who constantly strive to refine and enhance their platform. Their biggest reward is seeing students improve their grades, gain confidence, and develop a love for learning.
With the continued advancement of AI and digital learning technologies, the future of education is evolving rapidly. Practicle stands as a shining example of how passion, technology, and innovation can come together to create a transformative learning experience for students everywhere.
As Practicle continues to grow, one thing remains certain: Chong Ming’s mission to make learning mathematics more accessible, effective, and enjoyable will only keep getting stronger.
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