The pandemic has not only had a catastrophic effect on the economy, but it has destroyed the academic year.
However, there have been some positive changes that will improve the lives of many going forward. This is according to Karri CEO Doug Hoernle.
The educational landscape has changed dramatically over the past few months with increased connectivity and tech that promotes new innovative ideas. Classrooms have evolved to accommodate virtual lessons and smart technologies allow online access to students and parents.
Schools are embracing the symbiotic relationship between education and tech and teachers are already realising the enormous value of using digital learning tools in the classroom. Digital learning tools are certainly more effective for personalising instruction and are more effective for engaging students.
Pupils want to finish the school year and are using apps to keep up to date with changes and to collaborate with teachers and fellow pupils. Parents and teachers have turned to tech to help them cope, especially with all the uncertainty around the closing of South Africa’s schools. Schools across the country are trying to assist parents and pupils and are offering guidelines to make for a smoother transition with the use of technology.
There are countless innovative apps that have been specifically developed to simplify our daily lives and there are no limits to what your smartphone can achieve. Apps are transforming the way we live, they are helping us manage our time better and ensuring that we are always connected. With little effort, we can now order takeaways, check the weather, book a hotel room or call a taxi.
Karri is at the forefront of technology, providing more than 1000 schools across the country with a mobile payment app that is fast, secure and powered by Nedbank. It allows parents to make safe, quick and convenient payments to their school. The app has helped move millions in cash through secure, trackable online transfers.
Studies show that cash is one of the highest carriers of germs and parents should therefore consider alternative payment methods to reduce the risk. Cash and debit or credit cards can carry germs and nasty microbes for up to 48 hours. So why do we insist on sending dirty money to school with our kids?
This critically shows that the money we are handling on a daily basis, be it cash, debit or credit cards, are filthy and just as likely to be passing on diseases and germs as physical contact with another person. With Karri, there is no need for a parent to come onto the school premises to use a card terminal; or for children to be moving around dirty money.
To help schools prevent the spread of Covid-19, Karri has also introduced a new feature to screen children and staff in the comfort of their homes before they arrive on the school premises.
Visit www.karri.co.za for more information.