SchoolNet implemented a project in a primary school in Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal in 2011 called, “The use of the Xbox Kinect as a facilitation tool in assisting Foundation Phase learners gain a better understanding of English (1st Additional Language) as Language of Learning and Teaching”
The evaluators found that the reading age of all learners improved during the course of the first year of the project. While this might be expected, the study also found numeracy levels, as well as their understanding of general knowledge improved in addition to language and literacy skills. Another expected gain was the positive impact on teacher and learner morale. The evaluation study recorded an overall marked improvement in vocabulary which in turn impacted on comprehension and overall literacy skills.
D G Murray Trust 2014 – 2016
The D G Murray Trust is interested in exploring the potential gains that can be made from play in the primary school and the possibilities for increasing literacy, numeracy and physical skills of primary learners in Grades R and 1 in classrooms using tablets and Xbox Kinect technology.
SchoolNet proposes to introduce a bank of tablets and an Xbox Kinect into 5 primary schools in the Helderberg Basin in the Western Cape and 5 primary schools in the Mpophomeni township of KwaZulu-Natal. Grade 0 and Grade 1 will be targeted in each school.
Workshops will be conducted for teachers as well as a change leadership course for school senior management teams and district government officials. Face to face support in classrooms will be provided as well as ongoing online support. The achievement of the aims of this intervention will rely on SchoolNet’s ability to effectively encourage competent and motivated teachers, who can integrate technology appropriately into their teaching.