The school where I was placed is a well-resourced and advanced school, leaners are allowed to use gadgets such as iPad and cellphones in class, they have access to google classroom where they can get the notes and the materials that was used in class. They can also submit their assignments digitally unless if the teacher wants it in hardcopy. They all have an outlook account to receive messages from the school or their teachers. In most the schools where I come from cellphones are not allowed in the school premises and I was shocked to see that every learner has a gadget and a smartphone. They also have a printing service where they can make copies and printouts, it was my first-time seeing learners using a printer because that is mostly used by the administrators in school and learners are not allowed.
My funniest moment was when we were out of school for excursions at Iziko Museum, we were actually going to the museum to learn about fossilization however we could not go because of loadshedding. The teacher came up with an idea of a scavenger hunt and it was fun to see learners going around looking for clues.
I would define readiness for digital learning as: learners having access to a computer in the school where they can write, download and access any digital material that enhances their learning; and teachers planning their lessons is a way that digital tools are used to support teaching and learning. I was at Herschel a well-resourced and advanced school in Claremont, Cape Town. Each classroom has a smart board, white board, projector and speakers. Google classroom is used to share notes, submit assessment and video meeting, adding materials to your assignments and track classwork. check originality, feedback, and grading assessment.
Each parent has a school mail account where they can communicate with the teachers about anything that has to do with their child, and learners also have an outlook account to receive announcement from the school and their teachers. All pupils have gadgets which they come with daily to school to learn and to locate their locker or a school bag with. Teachers collaborate digital and traditional method of teaching and learning in their lesson for example they can play a Youtube video in class which relate to what they are teaching and also set up assessments which relate to the video. So yes, the school is ready for digital learning, actually they are using digital learning in the school. class registers are marked digitally and even at the assembly there is a projector were sermons, prayers and song lyrics are displayed.
Readiness means the availability and accessibility of digital platforms that support teaching and learning. The school I was doing second practical's is not yet ready digital learning. The taxi strike made teaching and learning difficult because the school does not use google classroom, teachers were sending the work that learners must do using WhatsApp. Many leaners in senior phase do not have cellphones; and they were not learning for whole strike period. Also, the school has a policy that does not allow learners to use or come with cellphones, and learners are not allowed to use the computer lab that is in the school premises.