The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is forging ahead with its ICT project plans, even though government schools have yet to be connected.
A new online portal will allow teachers and pupils to access learning materials, collaborate with one another, and view schedules and calendars, while parents will be able to track their children's learning progress, according to the Web site.
The DBE is currently adding more material to the platform, although challenges remain in connecting SA's 25 826 government schools, with many unable to use it amid infrastructure backlogs. In total, around 8 491 have been connected through various initiatives by government and the private sector - with the previous Department of Communications launching cyberlabs at 788 schools since December to enable fast Internet connectivity.
Despite this, the Universal Service and Access Agency of SA (USAASA) has set itself a target of connecting 24 000 schools within the next five years in its strategic plan, which was recently presented to a joint Parliamentary portfolio committee. Meanwhile, SA Connect - the country's broadband plan - aims to hook up half of all schools by 2016, with full coverage set for 2030.
Moira De Roche, MD of e-learning solutions company Aligned4Learning, says while numerous stakeholders prioritise closing the gap in access to technology, the cloud platform should focus more on its usefulness. "It's not just about access. It's about whether the platform will be valuable enough for people to keep coming back and using it."
Two-way street
De Roche notes the DBE will need to focus on the currency of material hosted, while encouraging users to contribute in an interactive manner. "It can also be a two-way platform where it's not only the department pushing information out, but also getting some in since users might have valuable contributions."
She adds that user-generated content would need the DBE to have some degree of moderation "to make sure things don't get out of hand". Some material would need to be approved, says De Roche, although consistent updates will keep users engaged.
DBE spokesperson Troy Martens notes the ICT project includes digitising work books and study books.
A number of private and selected public schools are already exploring digital options, as government's projects have yet to gather momentum, leading to reliance on tablets for interactive learning.
ICT veteran Adrian Schofield notes USAASA's technology rollout goals would need to be carefully managed if targets are to be met, and questions whether sanctions will be meted out if targets are missed.
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