Subscribe

Samsung commits to SA e-learning

Tyson Ngubeni
By Tyson Ngubeni
Johannesburg, 19 Sept 2014
Samsung wants to expand its mobile connectivity drive through solar-powered classrooms.
Samsung wants to expand its mobile connectivity drive through solar-powered classrooms.

Samsung Electronics has this week underlined its commitment to e-learning in SA, announcing a partnership to provide tablets to Pretoria-based Ho"erskool Waterkloof, and will also unveil another solar-powered Internet school next week.

According to the company's South African operations, the provision of Samsung Galaxy tablets to Waterkloof aims to enhance the integration of ICT in classrooms and also improve academic performance.

Paulo Ferreira, head of enterprise mobility at Samsung Electronics SA, says the tablets will aid the incorporation of multimedia content into lessons, adding it is a "guaranteed method of engaging young minds and teaching complex ideas".

"The Samsung Smart Education approach as adopted by Ho"erskool Waterkloof is about creating the classroom of today - modern, connected and driven by digital solutions. Learners and teachers can take advantage of the extensive WiFi upgrades and content management software and are also able to connect to the school's intranet in a dynamic learning environment," the company said in a statement.

Kobus Schoeman, marketing coordinator at Ho"erskool Waterkloof, added the interactive learning facilitated by the tablets will help teachers customise instructions to match each student's individual needs and provide instant feedback.

Samsung says the school will have around 2 000 tablets by the end of 2014, with further growth of around 2 600 expected next year.

Another solar-powered school

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics Africa has partnered with the Gauteng Department of Education and Habitat for Humanity in a bid to launch a Samsung Solar-Powered Internet School (SPIS) at Refalletse Primary School in Orange Farm next week.

According to the company, it will be the first SPIS stationed at a primary school. The classroom can accommodate 24 learners, and is fitted with a 65-inch electronic e-board and different Samsung notebooks and netbooks, including solar-powered netbooks and Galaxy tablets for student and teacher interface.

First launched in 2011, with installations in many countries throughout Africa, SPIS are completely independent classrooms that aim to increase accessibility to education and connectivity in remote areas of Africa.

The exclusively solar-powered and mobile rooms are built in a 40-foot shipping container, for easy transportation via truck to the remotest areas on the continent, while fold-away solar panels on the roof provide continuous power supply throughout the day on sunny days and for one-and-a-half days without any sunlight at all.

Share