ULLOVU Secondary School Nominated for the Iris Lab National Campaign
ULLOVU Secondary School has earned a nomination to partake in the Iris Lab National Campaign, a competition where victorious institutions stand to gain a fully outfitted Iris Laboratory, featuring Africa’s pioneering educational robot, Iris.
Innovative Teaching Tool
Conceived by Thando Gumede through her enterprise, BSG Technologies, Iris is an artificial intelligence (AI) teaching robot designed to impart knowledge across a spectrum of subjects, catering to learners from Grade R to tertiary level, in 11 different South African languages.
This advanced robot enhances the educational experience through interactive tutoring, automated assessments, and intelligent marking capabilities.
Transformative Vision
Thando Gumede, drawing upon her background as an educator, articulated her aspiration for Iris to revolutionize the education landscape and bridge the technological divide prevalent in South Africa, particularly within the spheres of science and technology.
“My vision encompasses a future where Iris is present in every classroom throughout South Africa, especially in rural and under-resourced areas where qualified teachers and adequate learning tools are severely limited,” expressed Gumede. Thando Gumede with Iris, her AI-powered robot teacher. PHOTO: Supplied.
Path to Mass Production
Gumede further noted that her team is actively pursuing investments to enhance manufacturing capabilities.
“We are establishing our production facilities, acquiring essential equipment, and laying the groundwork for mass deployment. Our objective is to ensure that Iris remains affordable, accessible, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of every learner,” she stated.
Support from Educational Authorities
Mbongiseni Mazibuko, the Deputy Director-General for Curriculum Management and Delivery at the KZN Department of Education, emphasized the need to prepare and train educators for the integration of AI in classrooms.
“Technology is not designed to supplant teachers; rather, innovations such as Iris will be integral to the future of education. It is imperative that we equip our educators with the tools necessary to embrace these technologies, and as a department, we wholeheartedly support Iris,” remarked Mazibuko.
Additional Incentives
In addition to the advanced laboratory, ULLOVU Secondary School has the opportunity to win tablets intended for digital learning enhancement.
Source link: Citizen.co.za.
