Video-based technology to help advance teacher training

Vodacom, through its Mobile Education Programme, today introduced a video-based learning platform for teachers to receive lectures in mathematics and physical science. This will help improve the quality of education in previously disadvantaged schools.

Through this initiative, 320 teachers will receive quality teacher education via a video lecturer from the University of Stellenbosch at any of the Vodacom Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resource centres.

Vodacom's Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs, Maya Makanjee says: "The key objective for the programme is to use mobile technology to help the Department of Basic Education meet its goal of ensuring that a significant number of learners have exposure to ICTs. The programme ensures that teachers throughout the country have access to the highest quality teaching resources. The programme will also ensure that teachers receive quality education content and create an opportunity for interaction between teachers and lecturers."

The programme forms part of a nation-wide teacher development initiative that is aimed at improving the quality of instruction in maths and science which are the most challenging subjects for learners in SA.

Vodacom together with the Department of Basic Education has created nine ICT resource centres, one in every province, each serving up to 200 schools. The centres serve as the district teacher-training hub and are fitted with computer classrooms with 50 terminals and an Internet Café.