Challenging Traditional Education Models – SteveJobsSchools launch in South Africa 

Having been recently named one of the ‘Most Innovative Schools in the World’ by Tech-insider Magazine, two SteveJobsSchools (SJS) have launched in South Africa. With over 40 schools in development stages across the world, the first two SteveJobsSchools officially launched in Johannesburg on the 22nd June 2016. Inaugurated by founder Maurice de Hond, SteveJobsSchools brings the next generation of schools to Africa.

With traditional school curricula inclined to prioritize the accumulation of knowledge over the application of knowledge, many schooling systems fail to adequately train students in digital citizenship and digital literacy. SteveJobsSchools aim to revolutionize the traditional method of classroom teaching through leveraging the latest technology and giving students the freedom to learn at their own pace through an Independent Learning Plan (ILP).

As a parent seeking the best for his child, Maurice started the Schools after he discovered that when researching suitable schools for his youngest daughter, that even though the world has changed immensely, most schools still use the same model and methods as 50 years ago. This model, designed for the industrial era, will fail to prepare learners adequately for the future world, essentially equipping learners to ‘fight tomorrows wars with yesterday’s weapons’

SJS engages the latest technologies in education and learning to equip students with the skills they will need to thrive in 2020 and beyond. The SJS concept is based on the drivers of Choice, Collaboration, and Challenge, with the curriculum aimed to develop relevant competencies, connections and contributions for the changing world we live in.

Maurice de Hond comments, “The SteveJobsSchool concept is a truly holistic, three-dimensional and relevant education system for the 21st century – epitomizing the School of the Future. Technology offers a variety of learning opportunities beyond the physical limits of school, while flexible, open learning environments enable contextual, real-time, interactive and personalized learning.”

Maurice explains that in a SJS classroom, students use technology, apps and iPads to take a more active role in personalizing their own education, while teachers adopt new roles as coaches and facilitators of knowledge rather than knowledge transmitters. Areas of focus include maths, science, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, creativity and problem solving.

“Technology can transform education by extending the learning space beyond the four walls of a classroom.  The SteveJobsSchool teachers call their school a 24/7 school as it is always available. At the administrative level, our technology makes education systems more efficient by helping teachers and administrators streamline routine tasks and improve assessment and data collection,” says Maurice.

SJS believes that with using technology and the internet, that the cost of education can be driven down substantially. “SJS has implemented a system that has the potential to transform education and effectively integrate technology into the classroom, igniting student engagement. We’re thrilled to be bringing this revolution in education to South Africa,” he adds.

High res photographs available at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/afdixpxgpg6i484/AABKXlh6q0Iw1lvkLy6UQKzLa?dl=0

To view the SteveJobsSchool video, click: https://youtu.be/peERh2EpyFM