Kochel am See - The Corona crisis has made it clear how urgent the digitization of schools is - but also that there is still a lack of this topic in many places.
There is now a model project in Kochel.
It is a highly topical topic that the Dorst-Locher-Stiftung has taken on: It initiated the model project “Digital Primary School” in Kochel.
These days, in collaboration with the community and the school management, she largely brought it to a close.
The non-profit Dorst-Locher-Stiftung is committed to promoting art and culture, child and youth welfare as well as education, upbringing, sport, nature conservation and emergency services - primarily in Kochel am See.
The foundation has been the sole shareholder of Dorst Technologies since 2019.
Digital lessons in 3rd and 4th grade should be possible
As chairman Hubert Locher announced, the foundation, together with the municipality, has taken a six-digit euro amount into hand.
In a first step, this should enable third and fourth grades to be taught digitally.
"A lot of conditions had to be created," reports Locher.
"The entire infrastructure was missing, the fiber optic connection had to be installed, as well as the necessary WiFi access points and the internal network including cabling." The foundation also has "functional tablets" for all students in the affected classes and "state-of-the-art touchscreens" for teaching. made available.
This created the prerequisites for normal school operations as well as for distance teaching.
“In addition, the foundation has provided special furniture that enables individual and group lessons.” The wishes of the school management and the teachers were taken into account.
Dorst-Locher-Stiftung wants to set an example
"Digitality and digital processes have become an indispensable part of our lives, both professionally and privately," says Locher, explaining the motivation behind the project.
Because the digital age is changing the world fundamentally and quickly, schools have to “get into the subject as early as possible” - already in elementary school.
It is not just about the future prospects of each individual, but also about the performance and competitiveness of the economy.
For this reason, the Dorst-Locher-Stiftung wanted to set an example and suggested the model project.
The community as well as the school management and the teaching staff met with open ears and great interest.
Locher describes the rector Jakob Dondl as an "ideal project manager on site" and "highly committed".
Mayor Thomas Holz has also shown himself to be very open-minded and the community, as the school authority, has given broad support.
Overall, at the Kochel elementary school, “a certain spirit for change could be felt” - “in complete contrast to what is seen in many other places,” as the foundation chairman notes.
For him it is "hardly understandable that the equipment in schools in terms of digitization is generally completely unsatisfactory to this day".
Locher criticizes: “A lot of bureaucracy usually hinders rapid progress.
But also inactive communities, less interested teachers, and even negative parenting councils are just as common as a lack of infrastructure, the practical support of a digital school and a lot more. "
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Hubert Locher
© Private
It looks completely different at the Kochel elementary school.
Here, Locher is pleased, "that in a really difficult time in which the school operation could only partially and poorly be maintained, the project never came to a standstill".
This is how “something came about that many other schools have not yet managed to do and that is still largely a nil in primary schools in particular.
Chairman criticizes education policy
Last but not least, Locher points out that, from the political side, funds are available, “but otherwise there is largely a lack of coordination and the will to shape things”, even if “the Bavarian Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs in particular repeatedly takes strong alibi positions”.
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