The Samoa Information Technology Association (S.I.T.A) completed a series of training for teachers and students for their E-Learning platform and developed a training module called “Safer Internet”.

The President of S.I.T.A, Fainuulelei James Ah Wai told the Samoa Observer on Wednesday via email that for the next phase of their E-Learning Project, they will monitor and sustain the platform for two years and continue to provide refresher training for students, teachers and administrators. 

They have upgraded the Moodle online learning platform to add accessibility and security features to make the platform to be secure and convenient, Fainuulelei said.

During the recent training series that S.I.T.A carried out, teachers were trained on how to load content and materials for learning, conduct interactive classes and meetings, create online quizzes, assign students to classes and create online discussion forums with students. 

Students were taught how to login safely, how to access online materials, how to join online meetings and how to sit online quizzes.

Fainuulelei said that there are seven schools under this project: Avele College, Leifiifi College, Samoa College and Chanel College for Upolu, and Amoa College, Mataevave College and Itu o Tane College for Savaii.

“A new training module was added to school training developed by S.I.T.A called safer internet. Focus on safer ways to access online materials and things to avoid and be mindful of when using the internet,” Fainuulelei said.

When asked about how the project has benefitted schools around the country he said, “The Project has immensely contributed to the school's continuation of quality education especially [with] the uncertainty brought by the [COVID-19].”

“On the other hand it’s a golden opportunity for Teachers to learn a new dimension in their teaching environment. However, more importantly for students to develop a new skill set as they prepare for tertiary level,” he said. 

“I have to acknowledge with great thanks the support from U.N.D.P in upgrading this Project. We started this initiative last year without any funding so the initial costs were met by S.I.T.A until U.N.D.P came on board and helped us tremendously.” 

He also shared his appreciation towards the Minister and Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (M.C.I.T) and the staff for their support during the E-Learning project, and the materials recently given to schools for the nation's Cybersecurity Week.

“Lastly, I'd like to acknowledge our hard-working Project Manager Mailo Henry and the Project Team for their sacrifices and hard work in delivering training and rolling out this Project. Last but not least our S.I.T.A executive who are working tirelessly behind the scene,” he added.