The 26 previously disadvantaged Gauteng schools that achieved 100% matric pass rates will receive information and communication technology (ICT) systems for all secondary grades next month, said Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi in February.

Learners at these schools would have the opportunity to become comfortable in using digital devices and media to do their schoolwork from grades 8 to 12.

Currently, digital classroom ICT systems were available only in grade 12 at these schools, which include interactive whiteboards, tablets for pupils and laptops for teachers. The Gauteng Department of Education’s (GDE’s) digital classrooms plan initially aimed to deploy ICT systems in grades 11 and 12 this year, but this had been delayed until the GDE had improved connectivity, device security and monitoring mechanisms.

Next year, the GDE aimed to deploy digital classrooms for grades 10 to 12 at connected schools in Gauteng. It will gradually roll out digital classroom systems at all at government-subsidised high schools in the province.

The digital classrooms initiative was also aimed at providing more robust, real-time information and capabilities for teachers, and the GDE to base decisions on.

“When pupils write a test, the system will immediately provide them with feedback. Should an incorrect answer be provided, the system will provide a link to the section of the digital textbook containing the correct answer. This system also allows teachers to gauge how well pupils understand the work, and identify which pupils require more help.”

This reduced the time required for marking, provided a real-time view of pupils’ understanding and encouraged responsive pedagogy. Teachers also had access to tests that they could use in their digital classrooms and could alter these tests to exclude questions not yet covered in their classes or include their own questions.

Meanwhile, primary schools (catering for grades 1 to 7) would also form part of the digital classrooms initiative. However, Lesufi noted that these pupils would receive a different form of digital classroom. Providing tablets for these age groups was not ideal because of the devices potentially becoming damaged when taken home; therefore, whiteboards, tables and desks would be made digital and interactive, such as touch-screens in desks and tables or interactive projections on flat surfaces, to provide a content-rich learning environment.

“While we would have wanted to roll out ICT systems in schools from grade 1 and expand it to a higher grade each year, the reality is that, by necessity, we need to deploy ICT systems from grade 12 and then gradually extend these systems to include all the lower grades.

“We will continue rewarding schools and teachers who show commitment to teaching, and enhance the systems that they use. In this way, we can encourage the use of ICT system to augment our education, and propagate digital classroom best practice,” concluded Lesufi.

Story highlights:

* The 26 top performing government-subsidised schools in Gauteng will receive digital classroom systems for grades 8 to 12 next month.
* Digital classrooms will gradually be rolled out to all grades, including primary grades, over the next few years.