@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 1. Thank you. I have now read it. Let me provide my thoughts. However before I respond, let me make a correction on the name. ‘Wits’ is not about a white instit. It speaks to the ridge on which the univ is built. The color speaks to the white quartzite which comprises the ridge.
@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 2. Now to the substance of the argument. The author is right to highlight the deep socio-economic inequalities & digital divide in our society. This does undermine the equal provision of education generally, and this is even more the case when teaching is in an online format.
@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 3. But how should we respond to this challenge? Should we not do any learning or teaching in this period? Should our position be that until we have full equality, no learning should happen? Is this a logical response to a real social justice challenge? We do not believe this.
@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 4. Instead our view is that we cannot waste the next few months.Learning needs to happen even in the imperfect conditions we operate in.Our research shows that the vast majority of our students -85%- have smart phones.This is not an ideal device to learn on, but can enable access
@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 5. We then tried to ensure cost of data did not become a problem. This involves negotiations with Telkom, Vodacom and MTN to zero rate our websites, all of whom kindly agreed. But this still left out 15% of students who may not have access to devices that would allow them access.
@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 6. As a result we approached broadcasting houses -SABC, eNCA,DSTV - to allow us the use of their channels to reach the 15% who did not have devices. We are still in the process of working out how this would work. If we succeed,then we could have an alternative delivery mechanism.
@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 7. Would this be a perfect solution? No! There would still be students who would be disadvantaged. This is why we will host boot camps & special classes when we physically return to campus. This would be another way of mitigating the effects of our socio-economic inequalities.
@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 8. All of this suggests that we not aware of the deep inequalities of our society. In fact it is precisely because of our awareness of this challenge that we constantly think through mechanisms to mitigate this challenge.Are our mechanisms perfect? No! But we are at least trying.
@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 9. At the heart of this critique and my response is a philosophical divide. On the one hand are those who critique and hold an ‘all or nothing view’: if there is no full equality, no learning should happen. The lack of social justice becomes an excuse to do nothing except object.
@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 10. On the other hand is a view that I share: the imperfect environment must not become an excuse not to learn. We hold the view that learning must happen even in imperfect conditions. It is impt to understand the social conditions & mitigate the inequalities as best as one can.
@MaanoThovhakale @lmondi 11. Finally what does this mean for our critics? My recommendation is: go beyond the obvious of highlighting SA’s inequalities. Also, go beyond merely objecting. Advise us how we could do better. Identify other measures we could consider. Work with us to deliver online learning.
