By Nikki Matthews | Chief Operating Officer
Overview:
The Atlas Digibus continues to make a significant impact on education in the Langa township, focusing on five primary schools. The primary areas of emphasis this year were English (as a second language), Maths, and Coding, using Reading Eggs, Matific, and Code4Kids, respectively.
Reading Eggs:
Before the baseline test, it was evident that many children struggled with fundamental English skills. From difficulty spelling their names to challenges comprehending texts, the diverse levels of proficiency required a tailored approach. The program's "Fast Phonics" segment was chosen for its adaptability.
Results revealed that all children were placed at level one, indicating a score between 0% and 20%. This reflected their struggle with English and initial hesitation using the program, given its requirement for reading aloud into a microphone. Despite this, progress was notable by the fourth term, with increased confidence, more frequent English usage, and improvements of 2-3 levels. On average, each child was exposed to 57 words, 13 phonetic sounds, and 4 books, showcasing promising advancements.
Matific:
Children enjoyed Matific's vibrant interface, sounds, and engaging games, fostering a sense of adventure. While language barriers initially impeded progress, the introduction of Reading Eggs significantly aided comprehension. Children, previously behind the standard learning level, started reading questions aloud, even translating them into Xhosa for better understanding. This practice led to notable improvements, particularly in the latter half of the year.
Matific covered a range of topics, including Number Operations and Relationships, Number Concept Development, Problem Solving in Context, Context-Free Calculations, Space & Shapes (Geometry), Whole Numbers, Fractions, and Measurements. The children's progress demonstrated an enhanced grasp of these mathematical concepts.
Conclusion:
The year 2023 witnessed considerable advancements in English, Maths, and Coding proficiency among the children in Langa township, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Atlas Digibus. While challenges were present, the adaptability of the programs and the commitment of the students and educators bode well for the future. The increased confidence, language proficiency, and academic growth observed set a positive trajectory for continued success in the coming years.
The impact of this programme would not be possible without the generosity of each and every individual who has contributed to this programme. Thank you for your generosity and support.
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