As the most disrupted of school years draws to a close, it is time to take stock of the impact of the pandemic on student learning and well-being.<\/p>\n
Although the 2021 academic year may end on a high note\u2014with rising vaccination rates, it has as a whole been one of the most challenging for educators and students in global history.<\/p>\n
COVID-19 has resulted in schools shut all across the world at various points in time.<\/p>\n
As a result, education has changed dramatically, with the distinctive rise of e-learning, where teaching has been undertaken remotely and on digital platform.<\/p>\n
For those who\u00a0do\u00a0have access to the right technology, there is evidence that learning online can be more effective in a number of ways.<\/p>\n
To get the full benefit of online learning, there needs to be a concerted effort to provide a structure that goes beyond replicating a physical classroom by use of video and a range of collaboration tools and engagement methods that promote \u201cinclusion, personalization and intelligence\u201d, according to Donna Mostert, Line of Business Manager at Mustek.<\/p>\n
The success of online learning lies in having access to the right technology.<\/p>\n
A reputable and well – designed Learner Management System (LMS)\u00a0 is the single biggest must have and operating system for any educational institution – it is the life blood through which all content, access, management of resources and indeed when the correct LMS is selected, ensures that the school retains teachers and students.<\/p>\n
Students and parents are now expecting schools to adapt and provide a digital option which is easy to use, has a deep understanding of the current and future needs of the school and all its stakeholders.<\/p>\n
If taken lightly, the analogue schools which do not adapt to an LMS which is world class, may face the same fate of the Encyclopedias of the recent past… and become irrelevant due to digital access and superior content – which is always on and always available.<\/p>\n
One such LMS is ClassRoom Ap developed by the Smart Ideas Group who have partnered with Huawei Technologies and Mustek Limited, and is designed with the educator and student in mind – it is an all in one LMS which includes its own Video Call software, AI to manage remote student activity and as a key element to any classroom, putting the teacher in charge of the class with the tools to do it.<\/p>\n
The Smart Idea Group, with branches nationally, is well placed to install, train and support schools.<\/p>\n
We have worked closely with our developers and trainers to ensure that Classroomapp is relevant to South African schools and education requirements.<\/p>\n
We have language options as well as the ability to brand the LMS in order that it further enhances the school’s digital offering to students and parents, says Steve Tetluk, MD of TSIG.<\/p>\n
We have pioneered what we call the “No Internet Classroom” for schools with erratic or slow internet, says Steve, which is essentially a local server (which we call a “cube”) which provides the school an option to work onsite without the internet – the cube then synchronizes and does a backup with the cloud overnight when bandwidth is less constrained.<\/p>\n
All your IP is protected and backed up!<\/p>\n
Over and above this, the requirement is for new productivity tools which have been adapted to help educators as well as learners adapt to this new normal to achieve true synergy and collaboration between their devices and the cloud.<\/p>\n
This intelligent collaboration has become a critical enabler of digital transformation.<\/p>\n
What springs to mind when one thinks of learning on line is the necessity of a digital white board one such being is The HUAWEI IdeaHub which allows educators the ability to collate all ideas and information coming from multiple individuals in a single space.<\/p>\n
IdeaHub makes education much easier with its expansive interactive screens supporting flexible online learning, the whiteboard brings lessons to life and makes instructions clearer. IdeaHub redefines education<\/p>\n
Mustek has partnered with Huawei to make it easy for South African educators\u00a0to access Huawei Cloud services.<\/p>\n
Mustek is the preferred Huawei Cloud distributor of many South African businesses, who enjoy the major benefits of the Huawei-Mustek partnership.<\/p>\n
Mustek\u2019s partnership with Huawei also means it is the only organisation that delivers local Huawei Cloud training through its Mecer Inter-Ed academy \u2013 which boasts highly-skilled and certified lecturers and powerful educational tools.<\/p>\n
Marcus Tay, Chief Technical Director at Huawei Cloud Southern Africa \u2013 said Mustek is a strategic partner in South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cMustek as a distribution partner has a significant range of highly-skilled engineers, pre-sales experts, and sales executives which can assist you with the correct technical know-how to scope out the SOW [Statement of Work],\u201d said Andre Engelbrecht, Channel Development Manager at Huawei Enterprise Business Group.<\/p>\n
Although Huawei Cloud has been around for some time, the adaptation and overall cloud journey in the Western Cape region is relatively young.<\/p>\n
Huawei\u2019s public cloud solutions are based on our deep understanding of our enterprise customers and the adoption of all things \u2018cloud based\u2019.<\/p>\n
In order to grow the market we need to stay true to our values of understanding what works for our customers and how our technologies can help drive longevity and sustainable growth for our customers.<\/p>\n
We are not \u2018just another cloud provider\u2019 we take the time to understand our customers\u2019 needs and understand the complexities of their cloud journey as there isn\u2019t a one size fits all cloud adaptation.<\/p>\n
There are many issues affecting education worldwide. In South Africa we are faced with quality of teaching and learning, the lack of resources, the relationship between social problems and learners and many other known factors that no one talks about \u2013 being able to bring quality educators to every learner in South Africa gives us a glimpse of hope for the future of our youth.<\/p>\n
To learn more about this educational eco system contact Mustek on:<\/p>\n