We asked some of the Eiffel Corp team what they are grateful for during the COVID-19 pandemic and this is what they had to say:

#IAMGRATEFUL

For home deliveries.

That I work for a company that is a leader in what education needs now… go digital.

That my family is happy and healthy and all under one roof during these difficult times.

For technology so that we are still able to assist our clients and to support and come up with solutions to take them to that next level.

To have people around me at this time of lockdown, even if they drive me crazy!!

For the people and technology around and available, that enable me to continue working from home.

For all the blessings I have in life with the family, friends and colleagues that I get to share my journey with and just knowing that they are safe during this unprecedented time in our young democracy.

I am grateful that I work for an innovative company that is serious about education and provides tailored solutions to ensure the continuation of learning and teaching through innovative methods.

For the family that God has given unto me.

For the Team that has surrounded me and their willingness to share experiences as we impact the greater community of South Africa.

I am grateful, that I can enjoy the small and free pleasures of life.

For the roof over my head and warm home with family.

That our company took on the challenge to carry on serving our clients in these unprecedented times.

That in these times of separation and with the assistance of technology, we can still stay in contact with our families and colleagues wherever they may be in the world.

That God has granted me the chance to live out my dreams till the age that I am currently at.

I am grateful that I get to work for a company that is innovative and strives to enhance the African continent.

I am grateful that I have a family to spend lockdown with, to laugh and cry with and just to ‘be’ with.

I am grateful, for the amazing team I work and ‘do’ life with.

For all that I’ve learnt from my workplace, and that we are able to adapt to the new normal with technology.

For my family, especially my daughter.

To be alive and healthy.

To work at an awesome technology company that allows me to work remotely.

That my family is safe and healthy and that the Rugby World Cup was in 2019…

The fact that I have the opportunity to contribute to education in Africa during these trying times.

I am grateful to wake up every day to make a difference in society.

I am grateful to be a part of a company such as Eiffel Corp with so much diversity and innovation in terms of educational technology for the future.

To be South African (which is why the flag is in the picture) because as diverse as we are, we definitely know the sense of Ubuntu and taking care of one another.

Professionally, I’m grateful to be in an industry where innovation grows to infinity while being fortunate enough to work anywhere in the world because of the internet!

I’m so grateful to be locked up for 21 days (or more) with the two most awesome little human beings in the world……yes, sometimes they do drive me cRaZy…..but I won’t trade this precious situation for anything in the whole wide world!!

I’m grateful to be part of a company where numbers are important but PEOPLE MATTER….whether it is their employees or their clients!!

I am grateful that my mind can be actively busy with work during the lockdown.

I am grateful that I don’t have to sit in traffic!!

In a world where people are waking up to no jobs, I am grateful that I can still work and pursue my passion in these trying times.

Personally, I am grateful for the gift of life that God grants me each day.

I am grateful for my fellow South African medical, police and armed forces professionals putting their lives on the line to save thousands during the COVID-19 lockdown.

I’m grateful for an incredible team at Eiffel Corp who are creating, innovating and putting educators in the digital space first, who are doing their best in the face of new challenges.

I am grateful for my family’s love and support, my health, and that I am privileged to have a job.

I am grateful for my awesome company Eiffel Corp that allows me to live my passion.

I am grateful to work in an industry where I can work remotely.

I am grateful to be healthy and still be very optimistic about the future.

I am grateful that I work for an organisation that is able to help educators and learners through the use of innovative ideas during the lockdown.

I am grateful that I married my best friend with a great sense of humour and he is the person I am “stuck with” during the lockdown.

I am grateful for the gift of life, we often take for granted that just waking up in the morning is a huge blessing.

I am grateful to work in an industry that touches lives in such an influential manner every day and we do so with the utmost care and pride.

Grateful for health.

Grateful to work in an open-minded environment.

I am grateful to be working for a company with extraordinary people with such willpower to grow and overcome and any obstacle.

I am so grateful that my son and I get to spend so much more quality time together now. Making the most of the situation. 😊

I’m grateful that during such difficult times, I am still able to make a positive contribution to the world using technology.

Personally, I am SUPER grateful for my family and friends.

I am grateful to be working in an industry that is able to support learning institutions in continuing with quality and up to date learning in these unprecedented trying times.

I am also grateful for all our first responders and essential members of society who a gracefully working through these times to keep society functioning.

I am grateful to live in such a beautifully diverse country #imstaying.

I am grateful to work in an industry, and for a company, that truly makes a positive impact on young people’s lives.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela

Keep on changing the world through what you do – without disruption.

Many higher education institutions across the world are forced to move to blended learning. As a leader in blended learning in higher education, Eiffel Corp is providing free resources and online support through our series of webinars.

Here are some questions that were asked during our first Webinar on, “Writing content for the online environment”, along with their answers:

Q: What is your advice for Universities in supporting students with connectivity & access to LMS and other recommended learning sites? 

A: Universities have to have Wifi at the campus, computer labs and again with the new agreement between government and ISP to allow students to access content hosted in the university hub for free. So universities have to host their content into their hubs then students will be able to access them for free. The government is also working with an increased number of service providers to zero certain sites. The institutions should consult with providers for a list of services that are being qualified.

Q: If your learners have multiple assessments they’re supposed to do or keep up with at more or less the same time, how do you ensure the flow of events so that they don’t end up confused? e.g if they’re supposed to reflect on each unit of the content, then at the same time they have other assessments.

A: Lecturers need to communicate (Collaborate) with each other to ensure they give students enough time to work on their assignments. I know this is a bit difficult as each lecturer wants his/her students to do their works. Students as well must be able to manage their schedules to ensure they submit their assignments on time. If possible, lecturers should consider alternative assessment types if not summative that suit the online approach.

 Q: What is the best way to include Youtube videos that have already been recorded and are available online to cover some Units for the content? Also in this platform is there an App that sends messages to student mobile phones directly for interaction?

A: You can embed youtube videos in the institution’s LMS and as well you can provide youtube links to the students. You need as well to ask librarians the institution policy regarding youtube and creative commons. If your LMS supports mobile updates then you should be able to send messages to students via the platform over a data network – this usually means the students have to have the mobile for the LMS in use.

 Q: How do we support lecturers who are still at the basic stages of using technology in their teaching and now they see themselves having technology as the only option they have to engage with their students?

A: You can create a community where lecturers can share their experiences and upskills themselves. At Eiffel Corp, we provide short training to upskills lecturers.

 Q: There are a couple of institutions that are currently busy with registration, meaning some students may not have access to Blackboard. Can you advise on available alternative technologies that can be used with Blackboard to enhance teaching and learning? This is to cater to the students who are yet to be registered.

A: We think the best way is to make the content available for late registration and offer to catch up support once they have registered.

Missed our webinar? Or need a recap? View below: