University rolls out tablets worth R5.2m

JOHANNESBURG: Walter Sisulu University said yesterday more than 1 000 of its students across their four campuses were given tablets through a multimillion-rand initiative to improve teaching and learning in the institutions’ extended curricular programmes (ECP).

ECP institutional co-ordinator Thabile Loqo said: “The funds used in the initiative are from external, ring-fenced funding from DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training) aimed at developing teaching and learning in our Extended Programmes.

“The tablets act as tools to provide electronic copies of student support notes, electronic research papers and electronic versions of textbooks (e-books).”

At least 1 375 first-year ECP students studying 25 other extended programmes – including engineering, IT, analytical chemistry and public relations – received Samsung tablets valued at R5.2 million in May.

Loqo said the provision of the devices would help mitigate the underprovision of computer laboratories and internet access at the university by enabling students to gain access to the internet via wi-fi.

She said the students would be able to enhance their own learning by engaging more with IT and research in the English language medium, which was critical in the performance of firstyear students in the extended programmes (EP).

First-year EP electrical engineering student Khwezi Mthelekiso praised the university’s innovative endeavours to enhance teaching and learning among EP students.

“Though it’s only been about a month since receiving the device, I can confidently say that it’s definitely improved my learning experience.

“This all-encompassing tool enables me to gain access to all the learning materials, while also using it as a research tool for assessments and tasks.”

The university said the tablets would allow lecturers to develop e-learning mechanisms, which were on par with national and international standards.

Loqo said departments in the university’s natural sciences faculty had already started purchasing learning software that would be installed in all faculty students’ tablets.

“This learning software will provide video and MP3 tutorials, as well as access to virtual laboratories in which students can conduct laboratory experiments and more.

‘The students will be able to enhance their own learning’