The Northern Cape Department of Education opened a Cyberlab at Noupoort Combined School on Tuesday.
THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Education opened a Cyberlab at Noupoort Combined School on Tuesday.
The MEC for Education, Zolile Monakali, said this was one of 10 Cyberlabs that would be opened at schools in the Province.
“This will modernise our education system and provide solutions towards harnessing and sharpening the knowledge, skills and competencies required by the fourth industrial revolution,” said Monakali.
“These Cyberlabs house four zones which represent the economic drivers of our Province, namely mining, agriculture, astronomy and solar energy. Pupils will be able to navigate various dimensions of each of these zones via giant multi-touch high-resolution screens, watch 3D animations, take virtual tours and engage with interactive content and simulations, giving them continuous career guidance and stimulation for innovation and life-long learning.”
Monakali added that Cyberlabs were spaces designed for pupils, providing them with exploratory hardware and software.
“The Cyberlabs house reality posters, digital tablets and virtual reality headsets that allows for an interactive learning experience.
“It has the power to turn abstract concepts into visual and experiential learning experiences without learners having to leave the Cyberlab.
“The software engages the senses and allows experiential learning that would be difficult to duplicate within the confines of a normal classroom.”
Monakali noted that teachers and pupils could access all electronic learning material off-line without the need for data or internet access.
“All 10 Cyberlabs are operating completely off-line at a zero data cost to the department. They provide a space for academic learning and foster interactive collaborative learning between teachers and children.
“Besides also developing key competencies such as a sense of precision, accuracy and efficiency during these collaborative learning experiences, the labs promote life skills such as co-operation, teamwork, respect and patience.”
