Online Education in SA Part 4: Awareness and Access - the bottom line
In the final part of my interview with Karen Walstra, my question was, how could education technologies work to solve those problems currently in South Africa. It would appear that I was not asking the correct question at this stage - not when technology itself, more specifically the lack there of, is quite a large problem as well. The question should have been, how do we go about solving the problem concerning the lack of technological access and awareness in schools. I think by this time we have already determined that the use of online educational technologies would be purely beneficial. Now, how do we encourage awareness and provide access?
What exactly are the problems that we are facing here? A few come to mind:
We believe that finding a solution to the final point mentioned in this list could promise solutions to some of the other points preceding it.
It starts with informing the individual teacher
Karen tells us that we need to think broadly, creatively, imaginatively when it comes to seeking to solve the issue of teachers oblivious to the technologies that they could use. Karen agreeably emphasised that we need to look into the future and see the bigger picture; not using the technologies available for teachers to use, in the long run, that is a bad thing.
A popular proverb: We need to adapt in order to survive. Why? If you don't, the global consciousness will continue to evolve without you. Imagine this scenario, in the early years of the great social media boom you decided that social networking was not for you. Now, 10 years later, you miss your sisters 18th birthday party because the invitation was posted as a Facebook event, or you miss out on a world of career opportunities because you do not have a LinkedIn account. Do not get left out of the loop and you won't get left out in the rain.
Learning materials via tablets or Mobile phones could really work.
The forwardness of education in South Africa lies in online learning technologies.
What exactly are the problems that we are facing here? A few come to mind:
- Lack of textbooks and other learning materials in many schools across the country.
- Under-qualified teachers teaching the scholars.
- Absenteeism of scholars and teachers due to reasons associated with poverty, illness etc.
- Poor Matric pass rates or teachers simply forging grades to push failing students on.
- Lack of access and guidance in online and other electronic learning technologies.
We believe that finding a solution to the final point mentioned in this list could promise solutions to some of the other points preceding it.
It starts with informing the individual teacher
Karen tells us that we need to think broadly, creatively, imaginatively when it comes to seeking to solve the issue of teachers oblivious to the technologies that they could use. Karen agreeably emphasised that we need to look into the future and see the bigger picture; not using the technologies available for teachers to use, in the long run, that is a bad thing.
A popular proverb: We need to adapt in order to survive. Why? If you don't, the global consciousness will continue to evolve without you. Imagine this scenario, in the early years of the great social media boom you decided that social networking was not for you. Now, 10 years later, you miss your sisters 18th birthday party because the invitation was posted as a Facebook event, or you miss out on a world of career opportunities because you do not have a LinkedIn account. Do not get left out of the loop and you won't get left out in the rain.
A whole new dimension of this concept opens up when we imagine that a single person's knowledge, insight and involvement directly affects the progress and development of school children.Â
Get them internet for goodness sake!
Budget is undoubtedly a huge factor in the accessibility issue, yet once again, we should focus on the bigger picture. A computer costs more than a textbook today, but would it cost more than 500 textbooks over the course of a learner's high school career? So how do we increase access?
An internet connection has long become a basic human right in other 1st world countries. Perhaps we could consider at least supplying the educators of our country with this privilege, i.e. free internet. The actual medium of deliverance is as important; computer labs, tablets for classroom use, screens or projectors for watching video tutorials. These are the type of goods that are required and that should be budgeted for or sponsored.
The role of the Mobile Phone
Mobile, mobile, mobile! Thank you Karen for bringing up this crucial topic. Since we are talking about internet connections, devises on which to explore and play with online learning tools, and compact enough to travel with, on your person, mobile phones could really serve as an option for bringing online learning technologies into schools. Interesting, statistics show that South Africans are quite serious about their cell phones.
In South Africa, mobile phone use has gone from 17 percent of adults in 2000 to 76 percent in 2010. Today, more South Africans, 29 million, use mobile phones than radio (28 million), TV (27 million) or personal computers (6 million)Â nielsen.com
Furthermore, statistics show that 20% of South africans own smartphones and 33% of South Africans who own mobile phones use them to access the internet. (see memeburn.com)
Where there is a mobile phone, there is the possibility of an internet connection, and where there is an internet connection, there are MOOCs, eBooks, video tutorial, discussion forums, a world of articles, and more.
The four part series summarised
To conclude this four part interview about educational technologies in the South African context, I would like to provide a summary of the most important points made and the main things worth remembering.
Great online material:
Get them internet for goodness sake!
Budget is undoubtedly a huge factor in the accessibility issue, yet once again, we should focus on the bigger picture. A computer costs more than a textbook today, but would it cost more than 500 textbooks over the course of a learner's high school career? So how do we increase access?
An internet connection has long become a basic human right in other 1st world countries. Perhaps we could consider at least supplying the educators of our country with this privilege, i.e. free internet. The actual medium of deliverance is as important; computer labs, tablets for classroom use, screens or projectors for watching video tutorials. These are the type of goods that are required and that should be budgeted for or sponsored.
The role of the Mobile Phone
Mobile, mobile, mobile! Thank you Karen for bringing up this crucial topic. Since we are talking about internet connections, devises on which to explore and play with online learning tools, and compact enough to travel with, on your person, mobile phones could really serve as an option for bringing online learning technologies into schools. Interesting, statistics show that South Africans are quite serious about their cell phones.
In South Africa, mobile phone use has gone from 17 percent of adults in 2000 to 76 percent in 2010. Today, more South Africans, 29 million, use mobile phones than radio (28 million), TV (27 million) or personal computers (6 million)Â nielsen.com
Furthermore, statistics show that 20% of South africans own smartphones and 33% of South Africans who own mobile phones use them to access the internet. (see memeburn.com)
Where there is a mobile phone, there is the possibility of an internet connection, and where there is an internet connection, there are MOOCs, eBooks, video tutorial, discussion forums, a world of articles, and more.
The four part series summarised
To conclude this four part interview about educational technologies in the South African context, I would like to provide a summary of the most important points made and the main things worth remembering.
Great online material:
- eBooks are a great idea. A new eBook can be published and retrieved through a click.
- MOOCs could play a huge role in up-skilling teachers on the subjects they teach.
- Teacher Tube provide educational videos, documents and audio categorized into channels that one can subscribe to
- Outdated information equates to false information. Wiki allows its users to add, modify, or delete online content in a controlled manner.
Learning materials via tablets or Mobile phones could really work.
- It encourages information sharing and interactive learning.
- It solves the problem of absenteeism; children can study from home and access their teachers and fellow class mates online.
- New tablets on the market are selling for as little as R814 and R905.
- Since many South Africans already own mobile phones, these devices could really serve as an option for bringing online learning technologies into schools.
- A Learning Management System makes the supply of online learning materials available in an orderly manner, at scheduled times, and arranged to suite individuals. It is the foundation that ties it all together.
- Teachers should be trained on using technologies in the classroom.
- The teacher, the most important element in this process, receives help, support and assistance through employing LMS technologies.
The forwardness of education in South Africa lies in online learning technologies.
Sound Idea Digital specialises in Learning Management Systems and eLearning developments | soundidealearningmanagement.co.za
Carla van Straten is a Writer for Sound Idea Digital | Carla@soundidea.co.za
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