SEGA: Digital Innovation in Education with Tablets

We are excited to share that SEGA is adding to its innovative education tool kit by adopting e-learning materials! Recently, the educational landscape at SEGA has undergone a significant transformation, including tablets as a teaching tool for students. SEGA received a grant to purchase Amazon Fire tablets for students and Samsung tablets for teachers. This strategic choice caters to each group's specific needs and roles, creating a more tailored learning experience. The initial distribution included 71 tablets for Form 2 students and 19 for SEGA’s teachers. SEGA plans to purchase additional tablets for Form 1 students with another grant from Amplify Girls. It is an exciting time for students and teachers at SEGA! 

Embracing Change in Education

SEGA's decision to acquire tablets stems from a broader shift in the Tanzanian education system towards a competency-based approach. This approach focuses on developing not only academic knowledge but also essential technology skills and building confidence and students' strengths in working with learning technology. The tablets are crucial in equipping learners with 21st-century skills such as innovation, creativity, communication, and collaboration. Moreover, the adoption of tablets aims to foster independence in students. The competency-based learning approach emphasizes the development of content knowledge, positive attitudes, and practical skills. These tablets will provide a platform for students to engage with educational content independently, promoting self-directed learning. By integrating more technology into its holistic approach to education, SEGA aims to prepare students for a future where these skills are vital.

Applications and Learning Tools

The tablets are equipped with the Quest App, a specialized application designed for educational purposes. All other applications have been blocked to maintain focus and avoid distractions during learning sessions. This approach ensures a conducive digital learning environment that maximizes the benefits of the competency-based approach.

Initial Teacher Training

Teachers were initially trained in September of 2023. This training emphasized incorporating modern learning systems into the established curriculum. It also helped to clarify that digital learning does not seek to erase established forms of learning; however, it aims to enhance it by incorporating technology. SEGA’s teachers were trained to leverage these digital tools to create a more dynamic and interactive learning environment for all students at SEGA. Opportunity Education Foundation, an NGO based in Moshi, Tanzania, conducted the training. Opportunity Education Foundation brings extensive expertise in modern learning methodologies. SEGA teachers were trained on the Quest forward learning system and the proper methodology for classroom use, incorporating techniques like questions and answers, gallery walks, and other interactive methods. The training also ensured that SEGA’s teachers could integrate tablets seamlessly into their teaching practices. Opportunity Education Foundation staff will continue to provide ongoing assistance to SEGA on using the tablets, ensuring their smooth integration into the students' learning. 

Thank you to the Segal Family Foundation

Nurturing Minds and SEGA would like to thank the Segal Family Foundation, which provided the initial grant for these tablets and has been instrumental in SEGA’s journey toward providing quality education for all students. With Segal's support, SEGA aims to continue to offer quality education to its students, nurturing them to become role models to their younger sisters at SEGA, in their home communities, and leaders at work. 

This program marks a significant step towards SEGA’s digital innovation in education. The combination of competency-based learning, teacher training, and support from organizations like the Segal Family Foundation and Opportunity Education Foundation reinforces the holistic approach to quality of education, which SEGA has been pioneering for the past 15 years. As SEGA continues on this transformative journey, it sets an inspiring example for others looking to embrace the potential of digital learning in education.