Google for Education, in collaboration with ICT solutions firm, Opennetworks, is introducing online digital training sessions for teachers in SA and across the African continent.
The online training sessions will cover various emerging trends in the education sector, from digital responsibility and computational thinking, to augmented reality and artificial intelligence in the classroom, and will run from 18 March to 29 July.
The sessions will be implemented in collaboration with educational technology social inclusion organisation, Snapplify Foundation, and digital training firm,MKB Consulting.
The collaboration comes as SA faces a digital skills gap, with government, private sector and industry commentators calling for an increased focus on skills development to take the country through the next digital revolution.
“COVID-19 has resulted in widespread school closures and an increased emphasis on distance learning and technology integration, inside and outside of the classroom,” says Shelanna Sturgess, head of special projects at Opennetworks.
“What’s more, it is essential that students are equipped with the skillsets needed to thrive in a knowledge-based economy.”
The series will comprise 10 webinars, hosted via Google Digital Skills for Africa’s YouTube Channel, which will include live demonstrations of teaching and learning resources as well as Google for Education technology.
Teachers will have access to learning activities, on-demand training and open office check-in sessions.
Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde, head of brand and reputation at Google Africa, says training and development is a critical factor in teachers effectively adopting new technologies.
“As such, the Google for Education team has identified eight emerging trends and themes in K-12 education – including student-led learning and life skills and workforce preparation – which will be required to evolve the current curriculum in Africa, and adequately prepare students for jobs of the future,” says Aderemi-Makinde.
Google Digital Skills for Africa has set an ambitious goal to train 10 million Africans in digital skills by 2022. The initiative was started in April 2016, with the aim to train a million Africans within a year. This was extended when the conglomerate reached its target within 11 months.
Google says it will continue to focus on developing core skills through various training offerings, curriculum repositories and free access to cloud tools such as Google Workspace for Education.
“We are committed to working with sector stakeholders across Africa to ensure equitable access to education. Google for Education has extensive products that support and enhance teaching and learning, from Google Classroom learning management capabilities, to immersive learning environments with virtual reality,” adds Mojolaoluwa.
Click here for more information.
Share