Secondary school curriculum to be digitised

Secondary school curriculum is set to be fully digitised by next month, the Kenya Institute of Education announced Thursday.

It means students will be able to access learning materials in digital formats through devices as computers and phones, among others, significantly transforming the way teaching and learning is conducted.

After complete digital conversion of the books and syllabus content, KIE will distribute the materials to public schools throughout the country in readiness for use by teachers and learners who are currently being trained on the new platforms.

Already, digital content for Form One to Three has been sent to about 2,000 schools under the Economic Stimulus Plan since 2010 and more are expected to be disbursed following the completion of the digitisation process.

“In the past, emphasis was placed on print curriculum support materials, but with the advancement in information technology it has become necessary for KIE to develop electronic learning materials,” said Ms Lydia Nzomo, the KIE director.

Based on the current national curriculum, the institute has also developed e-learning materials for primary schools (classes Four to Seven) and now for the secondary schools.

“E-learning content facilitates the learners and the teachers to internalise concepts and enhance level of understanding of competencies for the benefit of the students.”

The content is designed in such a way that it can be delivered using ordinary computer systems, web-based for online access both locally and globally, mobile phones and other mobile technology devices.

Already, KIE is training teachers on how to deliver the curriculum so that it can enable easier transition to the digital era in the schools.

The online training is accessed at the grassroots level saving both the teachers and KIE time and money. The first cohort of teachers will graduate this year.

Ms Nzomo was speaking during the launch of a ‘model classroom’ where by using cloud computing technology about 20 learners will be able to share digital content from a single computer.

The technology is a joint partnership among electronic makers LG, Intel and computer companies Microsoft and Intel where they will donate computers to schools to enable them access the digital curriculum.

Launching the project, assistant minister Ayiecho Olweny said that such innovative ways of teaching and learning in the classroom marked the direction that the rest of the world was taking.

“This model will demonstrate how technology can give schools the option of teaching children as individuals, in small groups and in large groups and will provide electronic links to other schools and facilities in the country and the region,” he said.

Although Prof Olweny noted that the government will support efforts by the KIE to fully automate schools in Kenya the challenge of infrastructure remains a real one.

Only a few schools dotted especially in the urban areas have access to computers and electricity to power them, making the viability of the project untenable.

“The integration of technology is critical to the development of the knowledge economy and global competitiveness and the government will accord the necessary support to the projects.”