The 2020 pandemic created the immediate need for online learning resources. They were not available in the region. COVID-19 also exposed how future-unready the Caribbean education system was. The teaching systems needed an upgrade to make quality education universal and consistent and to level the playing field geographically, gender-based and across the social strata. We decided to do our part.
The foundation of the platform is video-based training. The syllabus for each course has been broken down into topics and videos of length 10 to 15 minutes were produced for each topic. The length and style are intended to capture and hold the attention of the viewer. Each user can access a dashboard to monitor their progress.
The platform also features content designed to assist the students in the transition to online learning and managing stress and depression associated with the sudden and dramatic change in their lives.
Study guides and quizzes are being added as well as teacher and parent dashboards.
In keeping with the theme "Education for Sustainable Development" the SDGs are kept in focus in developing the courses. Apart from the high school content, the platform features training in Beekeeping, Agriculture and Climate Change. CZITT's climate change awareness competitions are being moved to the platform.
The first three months were considered as a trial period. Email circulars were sent to approximately 1600 teachers and students in Trinidad and Tobago. Between early July and early August more than 2100 persons used the platform an average of four times each. Around 50% of the users were from Trinidad and Tobago. Next highest was from Jamaica, then Barbados and Guyana. There are users from more then 10 countries.
The usage dropped off after the CAPE examinations at the end of July, and started picking up again in September at the start of the new school term. With all schools in Trinidad and Tobago being closed to students, the teachers have been each mandated to create content for online teaching. CZITT offered its resources to all public schools freely for use during classtime.
Navigate to the platform at https://czitt-ed.org. Click on Register and follow the instructions to create an account. You will be directed to the Home Page or click again on the link above. Navigate to the Courses option in the Main Menu. Select a course or watch some sample videos to help you choose. Enroll if prompted for that course. Select a video title or read the material available.
