Vodacom and Coega showcased a digital data pen to 24 education development officers (EDOs), from five Eastern Cape education districts.
“It is believed that an increase in the classroom contact time for teaching and learning has a positive impact on the pass rate. The department has requested Coega to assist in the implementation of the projects to improve education system in the Eastern Cape,” said the provincial education department.
It explained that the digital data pen looks and works just like an ordinary pen, but captures handwriting and drawings from paper to the server at the education head office in Zwelitsha almost immediately.
“The 'magic pen' will assist the EDOs to transmit attendance register data from schools to the head office in less than 10 seconds.”
Three phases
Siyabonga Simayi, Coega manager, indicated that this is a pilot project that will assist the department in their management functions without additional work. He said there are three phases to the project.
The first phase will serve as proof of the device's functionality and to determine if it is working according to design specifications.
He added that it would be piloted in the lowest performing districts. These districts include Qumbu, Cofimvaba, Butterworth, Mbizana and Fort Beaufort.
If success is achieved in phase one, further phases can be rolled out to other education districts and can include learners as well, according to Simayi.
He said this would shorten the time for the information to reach Zwelitsha. “The data can then be analysed for patterns of teacher and learner attendance and mitigation action be taken. The device, connected to global positioning systems, will co-ordinate schools and ensure that the EDOs periodically monitor allocated schools,” the department said.
"There will be no extra work required for EDOs and schools if the 'magic pen' could be implemented by the department," said director of institutional management at the provincial education department Ntsikelelo Vazi.
Light signals
Features of the digital pen include a pen-like digital device with a cap, a battery and four coloured lights, said the department.
The department also highlighted the functions of the pen cap, which has a charger, a memory of 40 A4 pages and an infrared camera. When the cap is on, the device is deactivated and is activated when the cap is taken off.
If used correctly, the pen can be hugely advantageous to the education sector, according to the provincial department.
“It will save education development officers time and transport costs, it will save on a lot of paperwork, no information will be misplaced, it reduces human error in data capturing, due dates will be met, statistics will be gathered easily, problem areas will be identified quicker, and it will improve on turnaround times in submitting information.”
The department added that the pilot has been launched. “If looked at in a positive light, this could be one of the ways in helping the Eastern Cape Department of Education excel in their performance.”
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