Enhancing The Learning Experience
If quantum computing is going to change our lives for the better, then education is one area that the community needs to focus on.
Notwithstanding the educational pieces The Quantum Insider (TQI) publishes, the quantum computing industry has several initiatives/startups/companies dedicated to enhancing the learning experience in the sector. These include Qureca, qBraid, QPlayLearn, Quaxys, and SheQuantum. We’re sure, as the industry grows, more will appear, speeding up the rate at which quantum tech is taken up, understood and eventually applied to practical use cases that will improve our lives.
Black Opal
Another player hard at work doing this is Australian company Q-CTRL and its Black Opal EdTech platform, an educational tool for students, developers and businesses who want to learn quantum computing to gain a strategic advantage.
Released on YouTube a few days ago, CTRL’s video Black Opal | How Q-CTRL makes quantum computing more accessible than ever, details why the Sydney-based startup founded by Michael Biercuk in 2017 designed the platform, “and how they take learners from zero understanding of quantum computing, all the way through to programming a quantum computer.”
“There are a lot of people that want to join [quantum computing] and learn about this new and exciting field but there aren’t a lot of resources,” says Mick Conroy, Product Manager of Black Opal. “Black Opal helps you learn the fundamentals of quantum computing interactively and takes you all the way to zero understanding of quantum computing all the way to programming a quantum computer.
While Christina Maresca, a Product Designer at Black Opal, says that what sets Black Opal apart from other quantum computing tools is its interactivity.
“There really isn’t anything out there that lets you learn things in such a hands-on manner,” she adds.
Designed to be intuitive, easy to navigate and use, the Black Opal looks like a good bet for those wanting to learn the fundamentals.
Designing Circuits
Content Author at Black Opal, Chris Ferrie — a physicist and children’s book author famous for being the creator and author of the children’s book brand Baby University, which includes the books Quantum Computing for babies, Quantum Information for babies, Quantum Physics for babies, and Quantum Entanglement for babies — says:
“To start Black Opal, you’re presented with a set of skills. You choose the skill you want to learn, then there’s a learning journey relevant to that skill.”
Another possibility with Black Opal is the ability for users to design circuits in the interactive sandbox, building single-qubit and multiple-qubit circuits. And the great thing: after you have completed the nine required skills in Black Opal, you receive a Quantum fundamentals certificate, proving your aptitude.
“Black Opal offers beautiful visualizations explaining the fundamentals of quantum computation. The language used is easy to comprehend with no complexity, and easily relatable.”
— Sagar Mothkuri, PhD Student
And another great thing, you don’t require a Ph.D. to find success, a key to the platform. With the Basic plan free, the Black Opal EdTech platform looks the perfect choice to begin anyone’s quantum computing journey.
For more market insights, check out our latest quantum computing news here.
