School laptops project to boost digital learning platforms

By WINSLEY MASESE

KENYA: The education sector is in for a major shake up with the introduction of laptops in public primary schools, starting next year.

The laptops are expected to create a platform for easier migration to digital learning and in turn the integration of ICT in the country’s education system.

Various digital learning platforms are expected to benefit from the laptops, and one of them is Explore and Learn by Intel. Launched a few days ago, the solution would enable pupils and learners download education content for their studies.

Evans Omende, a teacher at Makini School, said the technology would ease pupils’ workload and enhance the study environment.

“Learners will not have to walk around with the many textbooks they usually carry to and from school since all the materials would be synchronised into one,” he said.

Mr Omende noted that through interaction on the platform, a teacher could understand a pupil’s weakness and explore remedial ways.

Chief Executive of the Private School Association Peter Ndolo said Explore and Learn would enable even poor members of the society access quality education hence level the playing field in the sector.

“The teacher and learner will easily access a variety of content on a given topic through the technology,” Mr Ndolo noted.

Ndolo added: “There would be no need to buy an entire textbook to read on a certain topic but one would download specific materials.”

Senior Deputy Director Media and Extension Services at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) John Kimotho said laptops and digital learning platforms would provide quality education and in turn help develop the country’s human capital. Kimotho noted that KICD would develop a curriculum to be anchored along the education system.

“We would evaluate and approve the digital content so that when one opens a platform, he is able to be guided through the mark of quality to be provided,” he said.

KICD would also approve local and foreign content to be used in schools and ensure all learners access quality education.

The platforms are expected to make learning an interactive exercise as one would contribute his or her thoughts from wherever they are and subsequently enable learners develop a positive attitude towards learning.

Explore and Learn is also part of efforts to prepare the youth access relevant information for growth and development.

With growing number of Kenyans accessing data through mobile devices, the platform would enable one access the content from anywhere and anytime.