M5 PROPERTY ADDICTS disadvantaged background , teenagers have one thing in common : they just tasted freedom from their parents , just for it to be ripped away by lockdown . They all want to experience student life , learning important social and collaboration skills all us humans need to thrive in the working world . Let ’ s face it , some of us parents were also happy to have an empty nest !
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Even though the Universities promised all students laptops and data , this was not executed and distributed flawlessly . Some of my students only received their equipment close to the end of the year in 2020 . In the meantime , the kids were struggling at home to connect , as in many areas it does not make financial sense for the internet distributors to roll out fiber . In rural areas the reception is not sufficient to support streaming services . This is a problem that will still be with us in South Africa for a very long time .
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Students need touch points with their lecturers for optimal learning , whether it is to get an explanation in person or to do some practical work , an accountability checkin if I can call it that . How many of us the truly self-driven , who perform without a deadline or someone monitoring the progress ? Peer pressure at home to spend time with friends instead of working can also be a huge factor for low grades and failure rates .
Online learning did have an unexpected impact though on the way I run my student accommodation business .
• I had to upgrade my house internet . I potentially had 30 + people all streaming video at the same time , whilst attending classes , and I had to get rid of any fair use policies on my fiber contract .
• Load shedding also had to be taken into consideration and a UPS system was needed to make sure that the internet remained functional whilst the power is off .
• Water and electricity usage also increased , and I had to implement some smart devices to automate some of the controls around this for me .
• Onsite house parents became a necessity to always keep order , as some students are learning whilst others are socialising .
In retrospect , I almost prefer the way things are now , the students in the houses are closer knit than before , they are a family . Their tolerance for each other and willingness to cooperate in a house environment has increased . But most of all , I love to visit for the laughter , music and hugs . If done right no level of online learning will ever make students stay at home !
SOURCES M5 Property Addicts
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine JUNE 2021 11