KwaThema classrooms benefit from ICT boom
Can schools successfully integrate technology into the classrooms?
Technology has become part of our everyday lives and schools in Gauteng have integrated technology into the classroom.
The Gauteng Department of Education has deployed Information Communications Technology (ICT) into classrooms in a phased approach.
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In 2018, this expanded to 32 full ICT Schools as part of the ICT programme that all classrooms, teachers and learners have devices, LED boards, laptops and learner tablets.
All no fee and fee-paying township secondary schools ICT enabled in grade 11 and 12 classrooms have been renovated and installed with LED boards and loaded with e-content and multimedia e-content.
All teachers for grade 11 and 12 have received laptops and e-books for the subjects they teach.
In Springs, Springs Girls’ High School and Springs Boys’ High School have all their learners in the school utilising tablets.
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In KwaThema, Kenneth Masekela Secondary School, Laban Motlhabi Secondary School, Nkumbulo Secondary School, Tlakula Secondary School, Zimisele Secondary School and the Lefa-Ifa Secondary School have educator laptops loaded with subjects as well as smart boards loaded with e-books and multimedia e-content.
Initially, there were challenges with technophobia, but these have been eliminated by providing various training programmes for teachers and learners.
Learner influx into Gauteng schools has increased and leads to increased demand on resources.
ICT has enhanced teaching and learning and content is available to all teachers and learners.
Interactive multimedia content adds value by providing extra content. This allows for the enhanced explanation of subject and deals with challenging questions in order to assist learners prepare for their examinations. Availability of educator laptops has also eased the load on administrators because educators can set and type their question papers, capture learners’ marks just to name a few.
Educators can now manage e-administration, such as lesson plans. of the curriculum delivery
With the implementation of ICT in classrooms, there is the fear that the use of technology could hinder the development of social and collaborative skills in children.
A spokesperson for Gauteng Department of Education says, “ICT usage is collaborative by nature, therefore it plays a role in ensuring communication and working together for teachers and learners.
“Learners in full ICT schools are able to share relevant digital resources among themselves and receive realtime feedback from peers or teachers.
“The GDE’s vision is making every learner feel valued and inspired in our innovative education system, and ICT in classes is an innovative environment.
“Social and collaborative skills are fundamental in the development of our learners and technology is an added resource that draws interest and strengthens the collaboration, creativity and interactions amongst the learners and educators.”
Through wi-fi provided to schools, firewalls have been installed to ensure the blockage of inappropriate sites that can be accessed by learners and teachers.
The usage is managed and controlled by the teacher.
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