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A new app for UK 2015 General Election

Business , Technology 28th April 2015

An education technology company has teamed up with Newcastle University to develop an iPad app aimed at engaging 11-14 year olds with the General Election. Reflective Thinking’s free app is called Digital Mysteries: UK Election 2015 and aims to show young people how politics is relevant to them at an early age.

Students are introduced to Grace, an 18 year old in the North East facing her first chance to vote, and asked ‘Where should Grace put her cross on May 7th?’ There are 25 slips of illustrated information which detail her background, family life and interests. The app is designed to encourage discussion, so it can be used in pairs or small groups. While the task does provide short snippets on each party, through ‘word of mouth’ statements of family and friends, the idea is that there is no one right a answer.

While the target audience cannot vote right now, creators of the app aim to have an impact in two ways. With it specifically designed to encourage discussion, it will help begin chats about politics and the election with pupils, their friends, teachers and parents. In addition, getting those in school engaged now means they will be more likely to get involved in 2020.

The app is available to download free onto iPads now.