South African Bootcamp
Overview
Why is JET doing this
As an educational research agency with a non-profit motive, JET is contributing to the coordination of COVID-19 preventative measures and also coordination of efforts nationally.
#OpenupYourThinking is an opportunity to (1) contribute meaningfully to solutions and pressures being placed on the education systems using an evidence-based approach; (2) allow for real time inputs to be made into other national education processes, such as NASCEE, IPASA, DBE, NECT and others; and (3) keep a group of young researchers meaningfully occupied during the lockdown period, while giving them an opportunity to grow as they will be working under the guidance of experienced researchers
How will researchers benefit
This is a great opportunity for young researchers (<35y) to work under the guidance of more experienced researchers/practitioners, but also to be part of an innovative online approach that will also allow for learning to take place between peers.
How can sector benefit from research projects
We plan to feed into actual processes underway at this time. JET is already involved in many of these, and the emerging findings from the thematic streams will be fed into the relevant debates. We will also encourage young researchers to have their voices heard.
Packaging and dissemination
We are looking at a combination of short briefs and more interactive online options. Our graphic designer is currently exploring options. Overall our timing has been to start with the lockdown, and we plan to release the final products at the time when the lockdown lifts. In between we will also try and bring out key items.
The overarching research question we are attempting to answer:
What are the best mega-, meta- and micro-level educational strategies to be used during times of crisis?
Note on research approach: We recognise the unusual circumstances of developing a report on a global pandemic that is currently in process. The current events are far ahead of the academic production process. Most of what is written and published in the various media at present cannot as yet have been subject to the usual peer reviewed academic processes. Therefore it is necessary for us as members of the research team, to satisfy ourselves as to the quality and reliability of information, statements and interpretations that we source from the media for use in our research. JET Education Services is committed to ethical use and acknowledgement (through standardised referencing) of information or evidence drawn from any source.
Insights 2 Action
Parents are able to engage positively with their children, listen to them, direct and support their educational activities, encourage reading and creative activity, and support them to manage anxiety
Action: Assist parents to support their children in educational activities during and after the lockdown period
NPOs working in education are better able to support the government during the COVID-19 pandemic if self-organised through an accountability structure, such as NASCEE
Action: Support NPOs through NASCEE
There is a dire need for a more coordinated and sophisticated approach to managing and geo-mapping data in the education sector in South Africa, in the short term this should focus on COVID-19 related activities and funding allocations specifically for this purpose
Action: Improve efficient data collection in education
Culture matters in the education sector’s response to COVID-19
Action: Raise awareness of cultural sensitivity and COVID-19
The ability of a country to test, trace and quarantine (TTQ) is critically important. South Africa has experience and resources that will advance the efficiency and effectiveness of TTQ. There are however institutional resources that if harnessed may contribute to higher levels of success such as schools and ECD centres which are integrated into a large part of the society
Action: Support national test, trace and quarantine (TTQ) initiatives by the Department of Health, NICD, CSIR
Effective communication will help eliminate fake news and the unnecessary distribution of the information that might be causing anxiety, particularly to learners
Action: Counter the impact of fake news on youth
There is a risk that the data privacy of learners, teachers, lecturers and parents could be abused by the government in the name of managing the pandemic
Action: Coordinated effort from the education sector to report and advise on data privacy
The nature of exit level assessments for the 2020 academic year need to be rethought
Action: Develop or support the development of guidance protocols for school, college and university exams in 2020
Teaching and learning is more than providing content: a plethora of free online resources are available, but the ability of learners (also teachers, and parents) to engage with these resources need to be supported, also using non-technological approaches
Action: Curate online resources in a coordinated manner and monitor usage
Nutrition matters and very urgent measures are needed to feed underprivileged children
Action: Support the delivery of nutrition during and after the lockdown period
Government can use alternative funding models to leverage and accelerate private donor and investment capital to drive large educational projects during this time
Action: Investigate and implement alternative funding models
There are few examples of metrics for assessing the effectiveness of different social distancing measures adopted in a shutdown. We need to know more about relative effectiveness of on societal cooperation with and in various measures, such as closing schools, in slowing the infection rate.
Action: Develop metrics for assessing the relative effectiveness of different shutdown measures such as g education in improving the quality or integrity of social distancing
Teaching practice during and after the COVID-19 pandemic will necessarily be different
Action: Innovations for Teaching Practicum in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
