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Using ICT for the greater good

2021-07-21  Paheja Siririka

Using ICT for the greater good

A third-year software engineering student at Botho University developed a system to help schools to continue teaching and learning, because he says education should continue despite the current ordeal the country finds itself in.

William Kamberipa said the system was developed using some of the most advanced web application technologies. With four other university mates, they made sure to take on the digital and information, communication and technology (ICT) world, and use it for the greater good.

As far as the fourth industrial revolution is concerned, Kamberipa’s wish, as a young and enthusiastic engineering student, is for every Namibian child, with the current times and the direction the world is heading into, to access education digitally from anywhere in the
country.

“We saw the need to create this platform for the academic year to continue, and we incorporated all activities that used to take place at schools and put it in the system, which will benefit teachers and the learners,” he told Youth Corner.

He said this is important software created for schools to use when it comes to online teaching and learning – not only at primary or secondary level, but it will be useful for tertiary institutions as well.

Kamberipa said the system went through development and testing last year during the first lockdown, and proved to be effective because of its obvious features. They are now trying to implement it at the M. H. Greeff Primary School in Khomasdal.

“The students have access to the resource
centre and can download the notes and question papers. Once they provide the proper credentials, they will be able to access the system,” shared Kamberipa.

He added that students and learners will have access to the main test area, where they will take the pre-test, with the timer on sight for the countdown, before finishing the assessment.

The system also accommodates teachers and lecturers to create tests – whether multiple choice or structured questions – with no number restriction, and have the platform of inserting pictures in a question to assist learners.

“The system will be able to mark the test for the teachers and give the result to the learners immediately, and tell them if they passed or not – according to the pass rate of the test. It also has a results’ management space, where teachers can publish the test/exam results,” highlighted Kamberipa.

With schools on a winter break and universities relying heavily on online classes in the country, it has proven to be a difficult phase for the education system, which has once again been gripped by the inefficiency of conducting online classes without hiccups as a result of the pandemic.

Kamberipa considers himself fortunate to not suffer or have obstacles when it comes to online learning. 

Unfortunately, that is not the case for others, as some students and learners across the country have fallen short or far behind their academic work because of a lack of resources like laptops or access to the internet.

psiririka@nepc.com.na


2021-07-21  Paheja Siririka

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