This Kenyan Ed-tech startup wants to train teachers on digital content creation amidst Coronavirus concerns
The coronavirus outbreak has brought the world to a standstill. The virus, which started in China before spreading to different countries has so far caused more than 6,500 deaths worldwide, with new infections being reported almost daily in different countries, including Kenya.
Kenya reported its first case three days ago and yesterday, president Uhuru Kenyatta, in a state of the nation address announced that 2 more cases had been reported.
The president went ahead to announce measures to curb the spread of the virus which included blocking entry to the country to all except citizens and residents and shutting down of schools across the country. The president announced that primary and secondary day schools will suspend operations from Monday with boarding schools doing the same by Wednesday. Universities and tertiary institutions, on the other hand, will be closed by Friday.
Even as this happens, this will not mean that learning will stop. Code Mashinani, a Kenyan ed-tech startup says it will work with schools to develop remote instructional media infrastructure and train teaching staff on how to create instructional digital content and run live online classes.
Code Mashinani teaches digital fluency through coding, robotics and game development to kids between 7 and 8 years across Kenya. The platform targets kids in primary and high schools through school-based programs, holiday based programs in religious institution and institutions of higher learning and competitive programming events where kids compete on their problem solving and computational thinking skills.
In the past year, the startup has been introducing Technology Study in primary and high schools across Kiambu, Meru and Kakamega County through Study clubs.
As the coronavirus pandemic continue to bite, Code Mashinani intends to train teachers on how to create courses online and run live classes. Instructional media training will be offered in partnership with Excellent Students Limited.
The firm also plans to partner with interested schools in educational gaming. A pretty good concept if you ask me.
‘’As students take charge of their education and teachers define their expertise and niche; they start to build models to help them learn and teach better.’’ the startup said in a statement sent to us.
Code Mashinani will only work with interested school considering the government has suspended learning in all schools.
‘’Due to the government decision to shut down schools indefinitely, we’ll only offer Instructional Media Consultancy, Training and Infrastructure to interested schools for now.’’ the statement read.
Interested students can sign up here and learn at home with a teacher remotely.
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