Online learning made easy and accessible with Vuma
On 24 May 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that lockdown regulations would be eased further in order to allow the economy to open up further.
The education sector is amongst the industries that were opened, with grade 7 learners and matriculants resuming school from 8 June and recently on 6 July; grades R, 6 and 11.
While these few grades resume school, this plan of action still leaves a significant portion of learners at home, emphasising the need for high speed internet access and online resources to keep children engaged and educated while they are at home.
With a fast and reliable fibre connection, learners can ensure that they keep themselves busy with stimulating educational content that supports their learning and development. Here are a number of resources that parents can access online in order to keep their children educated during lockdown:
1. Government resources
The Department of Education has ensured that it provides learners with free online resources that they can access on their website.
It consists of study guides, reading material, video tutorials and even homeschooling tips for parents.
2. e-Learning apps and portals
e-Learning apps and portals are a great way for children to engage in educational content. There are tons of apps and portals to choose from online, and the best part is that some of them are accessible for free.
An example is Vodacom’s e-school, MyTopDog, which provides learning material for grades R to 12. The material can be accessed from a tablet, smartphone or desktop and provides a variety of curriculums from CAPS to IEB.
3. Downloadable printables
Although the rise of technology is shifting education onto virtual platforms, it is important for children to still physically interact with learning materials in order to develop and strengthen motor and cognitive skills.
Printable lessons and worksheets are a great way to encourage learners to get physically involved with their education. All you need is an internet connection and a printer and you’re good to go. You can also print flashcards which make learning fun and promote memory retention.
The added benefits of worksheets is that they help children focus, build stamina, and can allow parents to easily track their children’s progress.
4. Audio books
Audio books are a great way to enhance memory, comprehension skills as well as imagination.
Learners can access free audiobooks on websites like Audible, which has made a few hundred books freely accessible.
Parents can ask children questions about the audio books they’ve listened to, which can also improve conversation skills.
With a fast internet connection, learning is possible even outside of the classroom.
