3 Ways Virtual Classrooms Provide Learning Opportunities in South Africa

Technology is a vital learning resource in the classroom, and several disadvantaged schools abroad are making the most of it. Technology seems to be present in schools almost everywhere in the states. In some cases, managing too much technology can be challenging. For some schools, however, it takes only minimal technology to bridge the gap between opportunity and education. One school in South Africa is changing the lives of underprivileged students, and increasing STEM awareness along the way. It’s also modeling effective ways to use simple technology in the classroom. Here’s what they’re doing:

Collaborating virtually A teacher at St. Albany’s College in Pretoria, South Africa designed a way to educate impoverished students at a nearby school with few resources. As part of the Ulwazi E-Learning project, students from Gatang High School, who generally spend 2 hours commuting by bus to take core classes at St. Alban’s, are now learning in their own classrooms without moving an inch. How? Technology. Funded by suppliers, both schools were equipped with laptops, webcams, inexpensive speakers and SMART Boards enabling St. Alban’s teacher Ron Beyer to instruct remote classes to students of Gatang, almost 15 miles away. The success is setting a precedent for future virtual classrooms. Spreading the resources What began as a web conference and online interactive sessions between schools developed into an interactive resource-sharing project believed to be the first of its kind in Africa, and could be what classrooms of the future look like. Students at Gatang are able to see, listen and collaborate with students at St. Alban's, and in real time. “Being able to be a part of Mr. Beyers' lessons is helping us with our school work because we cannot do all the experiments he can do in his lab," said 10th grade student Francis Mashaba. "We cannot afford all the chemicals that St. Alban's College has." Beyers developed the idea after discovering the sacrifices the students at Gatang make for education. Since Gatang can't afford science supplies such as chemicals for experiments, they participate with interactive experiments being taught at St. Alban's. Software allows both schools to collaborate and interface with each other, both in audio and written form. "The fact that the learners were able to interact directly with the educational material on the screen was certainly the focal point," said Beyer. “The most amazing part of this project is that there are virtually no running costs.” Considering the influence Five schools are currently involved in the pilot wireless schools project and eventually all will share classes with each other. What started out as a small experiment between two schools resulted in a community resource for learners and has transformed communities, said Beyers. “By providing the technology, we can not only empower the learners but also the communities in which their families live” he says. “Rural clinics and business hubs can be connected to the network to assist with e-health and entrepreneurial services. There are many opportunities for social and community initiatives to use the technology installed at these schools.” Technology is a powerful tool in U.S. schools and abroad. As we advance and fill our classrooms with complex forms of cutting-edge and diverse technology, perhaps the simplest of ideas is far richer than we realize. Are SMART Boards creating smart students? Or are smart ideas the driving force behind successful learners?