E-learning launched at public school

More teachers and learners in Limpopo can look forward to digital classrooms. The latest recipients of the project of a countrywide e-learning programme undertaken by Vodacom in partnership with Samsung, is the Seloutjo Secondary School in Ga-Matlala, where the Education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe launched an e-learning project at the school last Wednesday.
This is one of 43 schools in the province identified to benefit from the roll-out of e-learning. Each school is to receive 26 tablets, one laptop, two printers, one interactive white board, one server to store curriculum content and internet connection.
E-learning will serve as a learning platform with free Internet access to education content for learners in grades 8 to 12 across the country. Over and above this, learners who are Vodacom subscribers will also be able to access classroom content, which is curriculum aligned on their mobile device across all major subjects, for free, because Vodacom has zero rated browsing on the site for its customers  on their mobile device across all major subjects, for free.
The process makes learning interactive and simpler for learners and educators. It equips educators with mobile technology to help improve the classroom experience using rich digitised media content.
Kgetjepe voiced his appreciation and gratitude towards the firms who have invited the department to be part of the official launch of network connectivity at the school under the Vodacom schools network connectivity. “I must indicate outright that we are passionate about improving and promoting the use of ICT Infrastructure in our schools. We are therefore delighted today and we justifiably express our sincere appreciation to Vodacom in partnership with Samsung for such a teaching and learning changing intervention that will benefit 43 schools,” he said in his speech.”It is indeed a very important initiative because today we are adding learners of this school to the growing list of those we are empowering by giving them access to technology tools that modernise the way they learn and are taught by their teachers. This is moving with the times we live in and as a department we welcome this contribution with both hands as it will certainly enhance teaching and learning outcomes in the province through the use of technology.”

He was quoted saying it was obvious that learners today could not be taught the same way some of us were taught yesterday.
“Information communication technology skills are essential for everyday functioning in the world of work and leisure,” he said. He reiterated though, that teachers are traditionally and importantly the primary facilitators of learning but information technology has opened up a variety of possibilities for learning and network connectivity will certainly familiarise learners and teachers alike with computers. “It will give our learners access to information about the world and it will encourage learners to read and write.”
“Access to quality ICT teaching and learning resources to all schools in the province, is critical in today’s education but the resources of the department are not sufficient enough to deliver on this important aspect in one financial year. It is not always possible given government’s competing needs and the many challenges that we must deal with,” he said.

Featured Photo: Handing over the IT equipment at Seloutjo Secondary School are Kabelo Makwela Director IT Department of Education, Ishmael Makhinya, Vodacom and Maria Mokobodi, Aganang Local Municipality Mayor, Qiniso Nyathi, Vodacom, Education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe.

NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com