Challenge

Mugoidwa Secondary School is located in Tshivhulana Village, deep within the rural province of Limpopo, South Africa. Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies undertook a project to assist schools in underprivileged areas in rural South Africa. 

They created an off-the-grid media lab for the school, consisting of two 12-metre upcycled storage containers joined seamlessly to create a unified learning environment. Their goal is to help bridge the gap between those who have access to knowledge and those who have no access. Moreover, they set out to achieve this in a sustainable manner. The idea is not to be a financial or security burden on the school but rather to help save money through renewable energy and provide access to the realm of knowledge that they would not have otherwise. The project will enable learners to make informed decisions about their future – knowledge is power! 

Sampson Mamphweli, Professor at Stellenbosch University comments; “The impact is massive as the media lab is going to change the way teachers teach at school in line with
 the fourth industrial revolution, before we had backboards, people used to write with chalks now we have smart screens” 

The lab is a sustainable off-the-grid container, powered by solar energy. Technology is in place to allow extra power harnessed to give energy to the rest of the school, which
 reduces the school’s energy bills. The solar panels, inverters and batteries were all manufactured locally, putting resources back into the local community. With security a major concern, the lab was installed with
super-tough polycarbonate windows, security cameras, tripwires, infrared sensors and alarms, and remote monitoring. 

Key Solution

The use of the Clevertouch interactive IMPACT display and the Chromebooks allows students, some of whom have never used a computer before, to learn in completely
 new ways. They can research, work with other schools, and access materials that would have been impossible with the previous facilities available. The technology ignites a passion for learning and embraces collaboration, generating heightened interest and
 enthusiastic participation among learners through innovative technology. Teachers are empowered through the ability to connect to the internet and access resources freely and easily, particularly in subjects such as maths and sciences.

Ramulumo Richard, Principal of Mugoidwa Secondary School comments; “Some of the learners would be touching laptops for the first time in their entire lives. Learners are going to be enlightened, they are going to go out of their villages, their village mentality will be removed now because they will be able to see what is happening around the world, because this one will expose them to the whole world and they will be
 able to interact with learners from other countries, their mindset will change from here going forward, so it has come at the right time where it was needed the most.”  

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Benefits

Software included with the interactive display facilitates the teaching process, with hundreds of educational apps available through Cleverstore, as well as pre-created lessons via LYNX Whiteboard. Combined with the access to the Google Education Suite via both the Chromebooks and the IMPACT display, the students have access to an unlimited amount of content. John Ginty, EMEA Sales Director for Clevertouch Technologies comments;

“It was an honour to be a part of this project, which we hope can inspire others to embark on innovative projects to help disadvantaged young people fulfil their dreams and aspirations.”

We want to congratulate the department of Renewable energy at the University of Stellenbosch for their work in this field. We appreciate your ongoing efforts to share Clevertouch Technologies with schools and businesses.