YouTube for Schools, knowledge at your fingertips and ease of access

POLOKWANE – Times have changed as have the methods of learning; the rapid development in technology, especially within the social sphere, has created a society of youths where on-demand learning methodology and traditional teaching methods have drifted worlds apart.

The need for multimedia and the availability of free media platforms such as YouTube raises the question: “Why are these platforms and methods not used in the classroom?”

Teaching is not easy and the massive curricula is the reason that learners struggle more and more to get all their schoolwork done in class. As a result, Lohann Schoeman worked with Nashua Limpopo to develop a YouTube for Schools studio.

“During our research we found that schools are bombarded with tech firms that want to sell technology to schools,” Schoeman explains.

“The result is that schools buy this equipment without utilising the full potential of the technology.”

He says teachers have also been neglected in technology training, which just adds frustration to the classroom experience. The YouTube for Schools studio will deliver a tech service to teachers without them having to know anything about technology. Brilliant teachers with zero tech knowledge will experience no disadvantage in reaching the modern learner.

The purpose of the studio will be to capture educators and educational content through technology sponsored by Nashua Limpopo and EduBoard. Content will then be converted, edited and uploaded to the YouTube for Schools video channel with short video clips and tags that will help in the search method. Learners will have access to the video channel from anywhere on their own devices. Parents will be able to view content with their children where once parents felt helpless in their attempts to help their children through the exams. Learners trust their teachers and prefer to rely on extra assistance from them. This studio will create branded school channels where the specific school’s unique identity and culture will be incorporated.

“Now the learners can go home, do homework, study, revise and repeat with the teacher present,” Schoeman says. Tom Naudé Technical High School will be the first school in Limpopo to advance where classroom and home are linked through YouTube for Schools. The first recordings are scheduled for July 28, 2015. This will also complement the new and long awaited technical curriculum in 2016.

“Tom Naudé will focus on three learning areas namely mathematics, science and engineering, and graphic design,” Schoeman further explains. The aim is to establish video content that will be available for learners before the final exams this year.

Next year all other subjects will be added to the YouTube channel. Schoeman has also collaborated with Dimension Data, Google SA, the University of Limpopo and other key players in the information and communications technology learning environments to accelerate developments in educational systems within Limpopo. “To truly help underdeveloped schools, developed schools will need to share the most crucial part of their school, namely content,” Schoeman adds.

“The studio will create the platform from where developed schools such as Tom Naudé Technical High School and other big schools will become the content feeder schools. Underdeveloped schools will be able to receive rich educational content presented by the highly skilled teachers. “We focus on public schools since the need is much greater.”

Business and education in Limpopo have the skill, connectivity, devices and solutions to solve the educational crisis, according to Schoeman. “If we are concerned about education; then the time has arrived for us to convert debate into action.”

Schoeman invites all schools, educators and businesses in Limpopo to join the TeachTech initiative, and can be contacted at 078 142 0973.