Smart board integration: Mixed Results from N$9 million investment

Roll-out faces snags
Poor connectivity and training have hampered the widespread use of smart boards in Namibian schools.
Iréne-Mari van der Walt
  • 1 Month Ago
After investing N$9 million for the acquisition of smart boards for the 81 schools offering AS-levels nationwide in 2021, an assessment has found that poor internet connectivity and a lack of training have hindered the effective integration of smart boards into teaching and learning at some schools.

This is according to a study conducted by the National Institute for Educational Development on behalf of the education ministry.

Nevertheless, at other schools, the roll-out of smart boards was deemed successful in contributing positively to learning outcomes and academic achievements.



Helpful tools

Smart boards are a special type of board or interactive whiteboard handled by touch. It is used as a replacement for a computer screen in displaying various applications and programmes and it is used in the classroom to display the lessons and activities.

A smart board is an important tool in education because it is believed to improve teaching, learning, instructional outcomes and learners’ achievements.

Despite the lacklustre results of integrating smart boards at some Namibian schools, the ministry plans to acquire 100 more by the end of this financial year, along with training sessions on the use of the tools for teachers.

The assessment revealed that 20% of teachers and 30% of learners reported frequent use of smart boards, while a majority – 32.6% of teachers and 35.5% of learners – indicated only occasional use. Additionally, 24.5% of teachers admitted to never having used the smart board.



Meaningful contribution

A majority of teachers (80.6%) and learners (75.0%) agreed that smart boards contribute meaningfully to teacher-learner interactions, while 41.4% of teachers and 31.7% of learners agreed that the use of smart boards aids in providing learners with rich content related to the subjects they are taught.

A total of 77% of teachers reported that using smart boards reduces the time needed to prepare for lessons. One teacher told the assessment team that lessons and notes can be saved, eliminating the need to rewrite them on the board.

Another teacher noted that smart boards allow them to present video materials to demonstrate practical material, especially when resources are unavailable.

- irene-mari@nmh-hub.com.na