Distance learners receive help with science

THE Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) has produced a series of electronic lessons that will help students studying physical science.

The electronic lessons were created as part of a pilot project funded by Unesco. The material consists of six physical science lessons each for the Junior School Certificate (JSC) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) courses, and is meant to supplement textbooks and classroom instruction.The sessions include demonstrations, info boxes, quizzes and puzzles.The advantage of using computer technology is that animations can be used to illustrate, for example, how rays of light act when hitting a lens.You can also easily check whether your answers are right.There are also instructions for those who have limited knowledge of computers, and students can contact their tutors by e-mail.The material is available on CD-ROM and will also be available on the Namcol and Unesco websites in due course.The second phase of the project entails developing six mathematics lessons each for the JSC and IGCSE courses, which are scheduled to be ready by the end of November.Namcol Director Frances Mensah says students were involved in creating the material and the results were tested in centres affiliated to the Namibia Open Learning Network around Namibia.The material consists of six physical science lessons each for the Junior School Certificate (JSC) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) courses, and is meant to supplement textbooks and classroom instruction.The sessions include demonstrations, info boxes, quizzes and puzzles.The advantage of using computer technology is that animations can be used to illustrate, for example, how rays of light act when hitting a lens.You can also easily check whether your answers are right.There are also instructions for those who have limited knowledge of computers, and students can contact their tutors by e-mail.The material is available on CD-ROM and will also be available on the Namcol and Unesco websites in due course.The second phase of the project entails developing six mathematics lessons each for the JSC and IGCSE courses, which are scheduled to be ready by the end of November.Namcol Director Frances Mensah says students were involved in creating the material and the results were tested in centres affiliated to the Namibia Open Learning Network around Namibia.