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Digitisation set to disrupt SA education

By Lwavela Jongilanga, Portals journalist
Johannesburg, 24 Oct 2014
Technology in schools means students have the chance to harness the opportunities offered by being a digital learner, says Ruckus Wireless' Bruce Pitso.
Technology in schools means students have the chance to harness the opportunities offered by being a digital learner, says Ruckus Wireless' Bruce Pitso.

Technology is entering a phase of changing the education landscape where the 21st-century student has the chance to harness the opportunities offered by being a digital learner.

This is according to Bruce Pitso, sales manager for Ruckus Wireless SA, who notes technology is an enabler. He says in an education system, for example, technology enables a better teaching/learner experience as it opens up new and improved ways to learn, access information and interact.

"Putting this platform in the hands of school children, and even university/college students, can have a positive impact on the entire process from access to books, access to information and case studies, real-time feedback and monitoring of progress," he notes.

To Pitso, looking beyond basic physical infrastructure and connectivity is imperative. Connectivity, he says, means students have access to knowledge. "Not so long ago, we were limited in how we could learn; where we could learn; and what we could learn; but today, students have an option to not be constrained to the information written in a book or on a teacher's blackboard," he continues.

He adds while having access to all types of information can be a cause for concern, there are ways of restricting access to sites inappropriate for learners. This can be done by introducing measures such as security policies or blocking of certain sites, he notes. "What's more, getting access to these devices can be a challenge."

Government participation is key in the implementation of technology - but they cannot do it alone, he says.

As such, public-private partnerships are essential, he adds. "There are currently industry players such as Project Isizwe which have rolled out an additional 213 new Free Internet Zones sites at schools in Mamelodi, Atteridgeville and Soshanguve for the City of Tshwane project which is currently in phase two."

"These are great initiatives and there are more, but much more can be done - which is why the education department needs to possibly partner with industry/private players," notes Pitso.

He says South African schools are not as smart as they can be. The technology is available but it's up to the 'powers that be' to enforce the necessary changes in our schools to allow for the use of advanced technology - and make this a core pillar alongside infrastructure, he explains.

"Globally, you see schools and universities which have taken full advantage and introduced the use of technological advancements and we have started to see this filter in locally - where, I am sure, in the near future, we will see an upswing as the benefits come to the fore.

"As a developing country we are faced with many challenges that we look to government and relevant industry players to assist in rectifying," he adds.

"In certain parts of the country, technology is not a basic priority but we have to acknowledge the direction the learning process is taking and ensure we don't get left behind in adopting these methods. While not all schools can take advantage of technological advancements right now, we should be looking at ways to support the shift, and government and private sector support will play a major role in doing so."

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