Rewiring education technology
Academics are spouting the use of technology in Africa more than ever before. It is however at a stage that is highly speculative to say the least.
Academics are spouting the use of technology in Africa more than ever before. It is however at a stage that is highly speculative to say the least.
Locally the South African government is struggling to find the appropriate supply chain systems and suppliers to deliver printed books to rural outskirts; relinquish their allocated budgets on schools that are in dire need of solace; provide mentorships for apathetic teachers and times on programs for kids that are dealing with personal difficulties.
How do they then decide to move forward with the use of tablets in schools and Further Education and Training (FET) Authorities if the systems that already exist do not function efficiently?
The answer is this: old methodologies functioned for Generation X training and development as there was no external spark or interest for use of technology within their era. During that period classroom training was at the order of the day with multiple books per student. Currently there are some schools that have a mere 100 desks to 1000 students, let alone the number of books available per class to ensure skills transfer or training development.
Generation X: a generation whose worldview is based on change, on the need to combat corruption, dictatorships, abuse, AIDS, a generation in search of human dignity and individual freedom, the need for stability, love, tolerance, and human rights for all - as explained by Professor Christine Henseler in the preface of Generation X Goes Global: Mapping a Youth Culture in Motion - is unlike Generation Y (millenials) with a marked increase in use of communication, media, and digital technologies.
Generation Y bridged the gap between old school and new school methodologies through inquisitive approaches. They explored the option of adding technology to environments that usually just had blackboards, books and school hall examinations.
In most parts of the world Generation Y's upbringing was marked by an increase in a neoliberal approach (socialism) to politics and economics; the effects of this environment are disputed. This then brought along the newly-born, teenage and young adult phase within the Generation Z or 'Digital Natives' population, with lifelong use of communication and media technology.
E-Learningforce Africa, among others, have made the technology available to ensure that rural and developed areas throughout Generations X, Y and Z will be able to connect via computers, tablets or smartphones to self-study, facilitator-led and conference training. We embrace the change with open arms because we know Africa, as a developing country, will be able to absorb the change.
We are firm believers in the one-to-many theory – enriching many lives through the addition of one PC in a classroom with a projector and increasing staff efficiency through the addition of smartphones, being able to view immediate notifications related to training/skills necessary to perform a certain task.
Technology allocated to education relates not only to the personal computer, tablet and smartphone, but is also related to infrastructure i.e. electric and data centres, wiring and access points. This infrastructure will ensure supply to rural areas where no connectivity is available.
We've instigated an initiative to span the Southern African regions with satellite-enabled signal, based on power points at specific designated areas to ensure a 3km radius covers those areas to study at home, at school/company or receive training from faraway places (distance training).
E-Learningforce Africa is confident that this is the right time to craft something incredible in a developing continent to express our commitment to support and to help grow our continent to become a first World contender.
If you have any constraint or cause that requires this type of technology, step up and give us a call. We'd love to hear from you.
