Internet Access

So much is possible with modern technology. The Internet offers amazing opportunities to collaborate, communicate, curate and create. Unfortunately, in South Africa, we are limited by the quality of Internet access. Not having sufficient Internet access actually costs money because schools typically then replicate many of those services in-house, with associated technical and personnel overheads. Schools with sufficient Internet access can use all sorts of free software to do amazing and challenging educational activities, besides using it for administrative functions such as mail, file storage etc. It would be interesting to quantify expenses in terms of physical hardware and in-house technical expertise to manage the hardware/software vs using cloud computing to achieve the same end. Adequate Internet access has thus become a budgetary priority!

Appropriate Internet use is obviously an essential component of any daily academic programme.  Our educational responsibility is to equip our learners with the skills necessary to become comfortable, competent and responsible digital consumers and creators. I'll write further about the sorts of educational support and discussions that happen in classes and tutor groups....

At school we take reasonable precautions to prevent access to unsuitable sites. Limiting and restricting access is not our core focus though. Generally, the boys and staff appreciate and value the technology rich environment we all work in and the majority use the Internet sensibly and intelligently. Our focus is to provide the tools and develop and encourage the skills that empower staff and learners to maximise the  educational benefits of using the Internet in teaching and learning. These ongoing educational conversations are very much part of our professional development and teaching programme.