South African e-learning program

Pre-reading questions:

  1. What do you like about learning thru the internet?
  2. How has the internet changed the way kids learn these days?
  3. Do you think e-learning can replace traditional classroom learning?

According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), digitalization is the key to advancement in education and learning. E-learning is already gaining a strong foothold in South Africa. Tablets and laptops are provided to guarantee that children have access to primary education. Based on the current trend in South Africa, e-learning revenues have the potential of increasing further in the next few years.

Some mobile operators are now developing new applications for e-learning. A lot of students choose e-learning over physical schools for flexibility and convenience. One of the biggest challenges that potential e-learners face is the inaccessibility of reliable internet connection in many areas. This concern is partially being addressed by some companies providing apps that don’t need a fast internet connection. The South African government is also planning to invest more money in the e-learning industry to provide education to students in remote areas.

Vocabulary:
digitalization – integration of digital technologies into everyday life
foothold – a strong first position from which further progress can be made
guarantee – to promise that something will happen or exist
trend – tendency; a general direction in which something is developing or changing
flexibility – the quality of being able to change or be changed easily according to the situation
inaccessibility – the quality of being difficult or impossible to reach, approach, or understand
partially – not completely

Comprehension Questions:

  1. According to UNESCO, what is the key to advancement in education and learning?
  2. What are being provided in South Africa to guarantee that children can have access to primary education?
  3. Based on the current trend in South Africa, what is the future of e-learning business there?
  4. Name one of the biggest challenges that potential e-learners face.
  5. How will the South African government support the e-learning industry?

Express Your Opinion:

  1. Name some of the positive and negative impacts of e-learning.
  2. Do you think e-learning would be effective to kids? Discuss.