The SPARK Schools network recently saw SPARK Maboneng named as a Google Reference School – only the third school to be accredited in Gauteng. Google Reference School status is awarded to schools that are using technology, including GSuite for Education and Chromebooks, to positively impact education outcomes.
The growing use of technology in the classroom is fundamentally changing how teachers teach and learners learn. It’s vital that our education system prepares South African learners for a meaningful future in the modern digital economy, says SPARK Schools, a leading network of private schools.
Bailey Thomson Blake, the Chief of Schools at SPARK Schools, said technology, used deliberately and appropriately, can unlock new learning opportunities. SPARK Schools integrates technology to personalise instruction and supplement more traditional teaching strategies.
“As we prepare students for the future, we need to ensure they are equipped with the skills and tools they will need to thrive in an ever-changing world,” said Blake. “By integrating technology into our learning model, we are able to provide meaningful data to our teachers on student progress, while giving our SPARK scholars the opportunity to engage with innovative programmes and tools that will set them up for success far beyond school.”
As a reference school, SPARK Maboneng can display the Google Reference School badge, test new products and be a point of reference for other educators and schools who wish to know more about using Google for Education tools.
“Our vision at SPARK Schools is for South Africa to lead global education, and this recognition is a step toward achieving our vision,” said Blake. Now that SPARK Maboneng has been recognised, SPARK Schools will seek Google Reference School status for each of the schools in its network.
