By Linky van der Merwe
After publishing articles about “Innovation through projects” and “5 Elements for Innovation through projects”, I wanted to share an article that will give an example of an innovative project that helped to make a huge difference in the education sector in South Africa.
How to address the need for better exam results
To address the education needs of Grade 11 and grade 12 learners, in order to improve the final exams results, the Department of Education, Western Cape, in cooperation with the University of Stellenbosch, started with an innovative initiative.
Telematics to broadcast extra lessons
Interactive Telematics Teaching is a 21st century response to learner/teacher support. From the trial done by the Western Cape Education Department in 2009 with 10 schools, it has grown to more than 300 schools, using telematics, to provide extra lessons to schools. The lessons are provided by two teachers in a television studio that are then broadcasted to schools through satellite dishes on the schools’ roofs.
What makes it so effective, is the fact that although the teachers are remote or virtual, the lessons are interactive. The teachers and learners at schools can call, email or WhatsApp questions or feedback.
What is Telematics
Telematics is defined as a system that marries information technology with telecommunications, or the long-distance transmission of computerized information. In this instance it is used to sending, receiving, and storing information through telecommunication devices, like satellites, through decoders (provided by the University) to a data projector, screen and sound system in each classroom involved. This is especially useful for schools who are in remote rural areas which don’t have access to broadband internet yet.
Objective with Telematics platform
From a University perspective the Interactive Telematics platform’s primary function is to support the post-graduate education students, and addition to that, to support the Department of Education’s schools Teaching Project to offer extra classes to hundreds of schools.
Benefits of extra lessons
Subjects are explained from different angles to improve comprehension that will help the stronger learners to confirm their understanding while it helps the weaker learner to understand better for the first time. It improves their overall understanding of the subject.
The self-image of the learners improve. Learners are assisted with examination tips, explanation of difficult concepts and even the parents become more involved.
The added benefit to the teachers attending with the learners, is that they see a demonstration of how difficult concepts should be presented and explained, or confirming that the way that they are teaching, is correct.
The revolutionary power of e-learning is not only having a multi-media platform, but also the power of connecting presenters and learners leading to interactivity and collaborative sharing.
Schools participating in this initiative, make the extra classes compulsory for their grade 11 and 12 learners. The lessons are planned in detail, considering the previous results from grade 11 and 12 exams. The content is planned to address where learners have gaps in their knowledge.
The subjects being broadcasted are Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Sciences, Accounting, English and Afrikaans. It has been proven that the Grade 12 (matric) exam results have improved at schools participating in this initiative.
Technology in the classroom
This initiative lead to a partnership between technology and the teacher in the classroom. The aim is to support teachers, but it will never replace teachers in the classroom who are providing the hands-on feedback by walking around among learners and ensuring that they are doing the right things. Teachers will support learners before, during and after every broadcast in order to stay focused and to maximise this intervention.
Long term benefits
Telematics teaching presents an education and training revolution in terms of technological capability. But more importantly, it facilitates access and availability to quality education as never before, providing teachers and learners with a range of choices and opportunities for learning.
Source:
“Innovation: How Science helps to form South Africa – Chapter on Telematics” by Sarah Wild