Technology is evolving at the speed of light and now influences almost every area of our lives. With education being such an important facet of life, it’s no wonder that technological advances are drastically changing how students access learning material. For students at model C schools in the centre of town, accessing necessary information and learning assets is simple. More often than not, they even have their own smart device they can work from on a daily basis with a strong and stable internet connection at home. It is safe to say that this is not the case for all learners as some face many financial and logistical challenges that make learning difficult.
In data-critical sectors such as the rural sector, students are not exposed to the same privilege of stable internet connection as those living in the city. This makes studying difficult when e-learning g files are large to download and perhaps the student does not have unlimited data or uncapped Wi-Fi. Circumstantial difficulties result in rural students falling behind due to a lower standard of learning facilitation and course material. With the youth of today becoming the future of our country tomorrow, it is imperative that their standard of education be elevated and delivered in a more seamless, reliable manner.
The primary problem that youth in the rural sector face is a financial one, as families cannot afford a stable ongoing connection that is needed to access e-learning material. This was identified as a particularly difficult obstacle to navigate during the pandemic when students were forced to stay at home. This was a time when learning needed to continue outside of the classroom, but many faced impossible challenges with not being able to access the required learning material and lessons remotely. This is just one instance that has further fuelled Niflink’s desire to simplify the flow of data no matter the geographical location.
With the NIF compression framework, files are now transferable to any location through any Wi-Fi, satellite, GSM, or fibre line connection. This means that we are able to prevent technical failures, facilitate real-time broadcasting and live streaming, as well as share large files that are easily downloaded. A reduced bandwidth is no problem and will not result in a reduction of file quality at all. Students don’t need a laptop or an iPad to have access to their lessons as they can even work from their entry-level smartphone.
Niflink is able to assess a school’s needs and create a smart system unique to that institution. This would include all hardware, software, and training requirements. The data solutions provided by our organisation include Niflink Tech (Data compression for media broadcasting), Niflink Teach (E-learning communication system), Niflink Tac (Security applications for NIF compression), and Niflink Telemed (Healthcare communication systems).
While our rebrand took place this year, we’ve always been a major player in the distance learning space, having worked with the Department of Basic Education and the largest network providers in South Africa on projects throughout the country.
Earlier this year, a collaboration with Vodacom and the Eastern Cape Department of Education gave us the room to showcase just how powerful our expertise and technology can be. The Eastern Cape has a significant shortage of teachers in the rural sector and we were able to help counter this by connecting 84 Teacher’s Centres and 12 Schools of Excellence with our communication systems.
Click here to watch our latest case study video that showcases our work at a local Eastern Cape school.
It is time that stable connectivity and easily accessible learning material are available to all – no matter the data-critical geographical area. The facilitation of reliable e-learning infrastructure and new-age compression of files is the future of education.
Our sales team are also on hand to help you source content from our existing content partners. We assist with planning the lesson structure of your education programme and integrate it well into our existing suite of software and hardware solutions.