The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recently recognized the increasing number and growing significance of e-learning, especially in South Africa. Technology plays a huge role in meeting the rising demand for education and accelerating progress. Despite the scarcity in technological resources, South Africa is expected to have a steady increase in e-learning revenues. There are currently 310,000 South African and international students enrolled in the University of South Africa’s (Unisa) distance learning program.
To fully realize the maximum potential and marketability of e-learning in South Africa, internet accessibility has to be further developed. There should also be a balance between the quality of education that students will receive and its cost. Several institutions have already decided to close down due to students’ protests against tuition fee increase. Lastly, institutions who are to provide quality education through e-learning must be willing to review, revise and upgrade their current teaching and learning methods.
Vocabulary:
demand – a need for something to be sold or supplied
accelerate – to happen or make something happen sooner or faster
scarcity – a situation in which something is not easy to find or get
revenue – the income that a government or company receives regularly
revise – to look at or consider again an idea, piece of writing, etc. in order to correct or improve it
True or False:
- UNESCO doesn’t care about the significance of e-learning.
- Technology doesn’t have a role in education at all.
- South Africa has a lot of technological resources.
- Internet connection is very accessible in South Africa.
- Institutions have to be willing to update their current teaching and learning methods to provide quality education through e-learning.
Express your opinion:
- Describe the type of people who would most likely enjoy e-learning.
- Do you think e-learning can elevate or degrade a student’s learning progress? Explain.
- Do you believe that everyone has the capicity to self-learn? Discuss.
Defend your argument:
- “Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important.” – Bill Gates
- “Education is evolving due to the impact of the Internet. We cannot teach our students in the same manner in which we were taught. Change is necessary to engage students not in the curriculum we are responsible for teaching, but in school. Period.” – April Chamberlain
- “Teaching in the Internet age means we must teach tomorrow’s skills today.” – Jennifer Fleming
- “Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers is transformational ” – George Couros
- “The best teachers are those that show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.” – Alexandra K. Trenfor