The educational landscape has changed drastically since the COVID-19 pandemic. During the global pandemic, people had to find innovative ways to ensure children can learn, university students can graduate, and other individuals can continue upskilling without physically attending classes. This shift accelerated the rise in education technology, also known as EdTech.
Although quite young in its development, the EdTech sector is not new. The history of technology in education is full of well-funded initiatives that led to little. The “laptop per child” initiatives of the early 2000s are perhaps the most instructive: investing large amounts of money in hardware, with evidence of impact that ranged from modest to negligible, and a growing body of research suggesting that the binding constraint was never access to a device.
The sector has seen significant growth with the presence of edtech platforms and accelerators. Additionally, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has also made access to education better for people, especially those in underserved areas.
This article will explore EdTech, how it benefits those who use it and which platforms are the best for not only students but also professionals.
What is EdTech?
EdTech refers to the use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools in learning environments to create more engaging, inclusive, and personalised educational experiences. EdTech companies leverage both software and hardware to enhance how learners are taught and how educators teach.
Government Support for Digital Education
South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has developed the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy, which aims to develop digital skills for economic growth, social development and cultural enrichment. This strategy encompasses various elements such as basic and intermediate digital skills, building advanced digital skills, Industry 4.0, and addressing the digital skills divide.
Furthermore, the strategy highlights the need for continuous collaboration among the government, private sector and educational institutions to achieve the goal of a digitally skilled South Africa.
Key objectives of the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy:
Cultivate digital skills development: The strategy aims to address the demand for mechanisms to promote digital skills development across the country, with an emphasis on acquiring and deploying digital skills in an evolving digital economy.
Developing advanced digital skills: There is a focus on advancing digital skills beyond basic and intermediate levels, strengthening research and innovation capacities in higher learning institutions, incubators, research entities and various sectors.
Addressing the digital skills divide: The strategy seeks to close the digital skills gap by ensuring all South Africans benefit from enhanced digital skills, contributing to an improved overall quality of life, education and economic growth. Additionally, the strategy puts an emphasis on the significance of digital skills for creating modern jobs and combining digital competencies with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Collaboration efforts among stakeholders: Highlighted in the strategy is the need for continuous collaboration between government, private sector and educational institutions to achieve a digitally skilled South African workforce. It (strategy) accents the importance of structured consultation, collaboration and coordination involving all stakeholders.
Benefits of EdTech in South Africa
Edtech provides the following benefits:
- Enhanced privacy and security: Edtech tools are evolving to better protect student data and promote responsible technology use. These tools prioritise data security and privacy, have built-in protections to support safe digital learning environments, and create a safe, age-appropriate online learning experience.
- Personalised and adaptive learning: Modern platforms adjust to each student’s needs, creating more personalised, effective instruction. Questions are based on student performance, interactive tools help learners monitor their progress, and teachers can adjust instructions based on real-time data.
- Improved student engagement: Edtech brings learning to life through interactivity and real-world relevance. This is done through gamification, VR and AR experience, simulations, interactive content, collaborative learning spaces and screen-time awareness.
- Educator support: EdTech empowers teachers with data, collaboration tools, and professional growth. Teachers can now track student progress easily, have access to data for more informed insights, access to collaboration tools and classroom management software.
- Improved access to education: Edtech can help to bridge gaps in access and opportunity. Students can now access mobile learning platforms, be part of global classrooms and get micro-learning modules to help with retention.
These are just a few of the benefits EdTech can provide for learning institutions and learners.
EdTech Platforms in South Africa
South Africa is home to over 200 EdTech startups. These startups are tackling challenges ranging from high school exam prep to coding bootcamps and workplace learning.
Here are some of the most impactful platforms:
Matric Live
Matric Live is an education platform and app designed to help high school students in Grades 10-12 prepare for their final exams and improve their studies. The platform offers interactive lessons, personalised feedback, adaptive assessments, and artificial intelligence (AI) powered support.
Matric Live is funded by Injini and the Mastercard Foundation.
SPARK Schools
SPARK Schools is a network of private schools offering tech-led education. The organisation, which has campuses in Gauteng and the Western Cape, focuses on individualised learning, combining direct classroom instruction with technology-based learning.
HyperionDev
Specialising in coding bootcamps, HyperionDev offers both online and in-person programmes in software development and web design.
ALX
ALX is a technology training provider focused on providing young Africans with the skills needed to thrive in a digital economy. The organisation offers free programmes in data science, data analytics, AI, graphic design and cloud computing, amongst many others. ALX is also part of the Mastercard Foundation.
Go1
Go1 is an EdTech that provides a platform for organisations to access a library of learning content from various providers. Go1 users get access to over 100k learning resources through the Go1 catalogue.
WeThinkCode
WeThinkCode is a local software development academy that offers a 16-month tuition-free programme for individuals looking to learn how to code and become developers. WeThinkCode offers training in computer science, information technology, software development and computer programming.
The Invigilator
The Invigilator is a mobile and web-based remote assessment platform that provides secure, cost-effective, and scalable proctoring solutions for schools, universities and professional bodies.
The above platforms are not only for young children, but some, like The Invigilator and Go1, also provide services for businesses looking to access skills development material or courses.
