Five schools in Limpopo are each being provided with internet connectivity through the TV White Spaces Initiative as well as a bank of Windows 8 Devices per school and access to the Office 365 A2 Education Plan. To ensure that this equipment and connectivity are used for anytime, anywhere learning SchoolNet SA has been appointed by Microsoft to provide training and mentorship to the teachers involved in this project. Teachers have already started with the ‘Partners in Learning ICT Skills for Teachers’ course and in the new year we look forward to offering additional courses on ‘Using Office 355 for Anywhere, Anytime Learning’, ‘Windows 8 in the Classroom’ as well as the ‘Microsoft Innovation Course’.
At SchoolNet SA we believe that for equipment and connectivity to be used most effectively it should be placed in the hands of learners. However as teachers and school leaders will be the gatekeepers of the technology, they first need to experience the possibilities of using technology for learning. We are excited to be a part of this exciting proof of concept project and look forward to helping teachers use the tablets in the classroom for productive anywhere, anytime learning. Look out for the progress that we make with this project in 2014.
If you are interested in finding out about the FREE A2 Office for Education plan for your school visit: about Office 365 for your school – visit http://office.microsoft.com/en-za/academic/compare-office-365-education-plans-FX103045755.aspx