The Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE) is hosting the fifth Annual E-Learning Summit in the East London ICC from Tuesday.
The two-day summit aims to bring together educators, technology experts and industry professionals to explore innovative solutions for enhancing eLearning experiences in schools.
It will feature presentations and panel discussions which will focus on the latest trends in eLearning, the integration of technology in education, and strategies for improving digital learning outcomes.
Top management from the Education sector, Department of Basic Education and the Gauteng and Limpopo Education Departments are expected to give insight and share best practises. School principals and teachers will also present how they have integrated Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in schools.
So far, Deputy Director General, Ray Tywakadi, highlighted the department’s eLearning strategy, with includes the provision of resources to schools, building school capacity by training teachers, mobilising support for ICT integration and further monitoring use of resources in schools.
When launching the e-Learning broadcasting studio in East London on Monday, Education MEC, Fundile Gade, said the aim was to impact 2000 schools and enhance digital learning, to ensure all learners receive lessons from the best teachers in the school sector.
The recurring theme from speakers in the summit is ensuring stable connectivity so that the department’s investments are of value to the schools and its learners.
Andile Stofile, who is a change agent, also advocated for the partnership of public and private sector. He further emphasised that “technology must not replace the teacher but enhance the learning and teaching experience.”
“The classroom digital divide between rural, township and sub-urban learners must be closed through private sector support and initiatives by government. Telecommunications operators must continue to open more learning material and make them zero-rated for schools.”
While Stofile advocated for the use of the online space for learning, he emphasised the need for learners to be cautioned and sensitised to the risks of the internet, particularly when misused.
The Chief Director for Curriculum Enhancement, Seliki Tlhabane, said it was important to transform the education space to keep up with the times.
“The education sector is the only sector still stuck on using chalk and dust, and it is time we harnessed the use of technology in schools to get answers that would have previously taken days to acquire in the classroom.”
