by Staff Writer
South Africa’s classroom of the future may adopt new methods to learning such as gamification that will help teachers challenge, inspire and engage their students.
The classroom of the future aims to bring about widespread digital transformation in schools, harnessing technology that fosters collaboration and the sharing of ideas to provide children and young people with the relevant skills they will need in an ever-changing world.
Microsoft South Africa in partnership with the Cape Town Science Centre has unveiled the Microsoft Classroom of the Future, an exhibition that showcases the latest educational tools available to teachers today.
The global tech giant has been working closely with the Western Cape Department of Education since early 2015, as both entities believe that technology in the classroom should be transparent and empower educators and students to focus on learning outcomes.
“Our mission is to empower every person and every organisation in South Africa to achieve more. Technology cannot replace great teaching, but it can make great teachers even greater. We are inspired to work with educators, with students, and with school leaders on their journey to redefine learning in and out of the classroom,” says Zoaib Hoosen, MD of Microsoft South Africa.
The exhibition – one of the several projects that the two have partnered on – will facilitate this development by allowing on-site professional teacher development through workshops and various demonstrations.
Anticipated outcomes of the exhibition are therefore learning how to use technology as an enabler in imparting skills such as critical decision-making and creativity to adapt to the changing world.
“By leveraging technology in the classroom, students will learn how to provide solutions to tomorrow’s problems, create opportunities for self-employment, generate innovative new business models and create thriving businesses that will employ tomorrow’s digitally empowered workforce,” said Hoosen.
