MY SCHOOLING AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY.

It is very disappointing to see how slowly SA is developing in terms of technology especially in rural schools. It is very paramount to introduce ICT (Information and Communication Technology) to children at younger age to improve their knowledge and learning. The teaching and learning will improve in terms of communication of learners and teachers. ICT is vital for the future of learners as it will prepare them to be creative in workplace.

Teachers as researchers or lifelong learners they are the ones expected to come up with different information as well as learning styles, so ICT is the easiest way to be exposed to dissimilar information. Some of the educators they are not fully committed to their work and they grouchy about hard work of ICT. According to hew and Brush “Most of the teachers are complaining to prepare to using ICT i.e. they have to review website, internet”. On the other hand, some instructors have strong desire for ICT just that they come across many barriers. According to Etrmer, the barriers are divided into two categories namely: intrinsic and extrinsic barriers.  

Some of the extrinsic barriers are lack of confidence of educators, lack of resources, lack of competence and intrinsic barriers are attitudes, beliefs, confidence and resistance. Approximately of the barriers that are most common in rural areas in SA is lack of resources in the classroom even though in some urban areas there are resources only to find they are limitation on how to use them. Luckily the urban areas that have the resources you will find that they are sponsored by companies such as Vodacom.

My schooling and technology experience, when I look back during my high school years we were suffering with technology, we didn't have even lights in case we want extra lessons or maybe to study overnight. Most of the time we used textbook or some notes given by educator we have to copy them from the chalkboard. Hopefully soon there will be changes.

My final school year at Hluzingqondo Senior Secondary School which is located in Mpumalanga Province.

Hluzingqondo Secondary School is located in Kwaggafontein “a”. Kwaggafontein is a rural area which is under Thembisile Hani Municipality in Nkangala District. Unlike other rural areas Kwaggafontein is developing, as they are clinics and a public library. It is situated around KwaNdebele Community. I completed my matric in the year of 2013. I was doing Science scream including Languages, Physical sciences,  Agricultural sciences, Life sciences and Mathematics.

My favourite subject was Life Sciences because it deals about the study of life or living organisms, the theories that are proven by the scientists. Unfortunately in my previous school there were no educational technology that was used during our lessons, except for the Principal and the Clerk in the office. There was only one printing machine that was used by educators only, to  print our notes and reports.

Most of the time, we used to copy notes from the chalkboard that is written by the instructor. There was no library in my school, if we were given assignment research, I have to go to the public library. Imagine more than ten school learners going to a same library, sometimes you’ll return home without getting enough information or research for the sake of other pupils to also get information since the library closes at 4pm.