The Early birds catch the Worms

This blog story is dedicated to all those educators who toil under adverse circumstances to produce good results in their subjects. Despite poor results, vandalism, burglaries, pregnancies, gangsterism and lack of motivation a few educators still feel they can make a difference.

Ms Mnisi, a maths educator at Chris Hani, jumped in early to use the Interactive Whiteboard with Master Maths to teach a section on Exponential graphs. Learners were eager to start off the year in their new grade. The Interactive Whiteboard has grabbed their attention with many being not so sure of the potential of the board.

At Esangweni Secondary School, Mr Donald Katz was teaching Geography using the World Cup 2010 as theme.

Armed with a laptop he easily connected it to the network and in so doing opened up a new world to the learners.

The internet showed a different dimension of the discussion they just had. Somehow the stadium is closer to Khayelitsha than it real location in Green Point.

Also in Khayelitsha Mrs Christians-Gaffoor of Bulumko Secondary School allowed the learners to surf the internet for information on career possibilities. Information from websites such as that of UWC gave the learners a fair idea of what results they must achieve to study there. In Life orientation she has to cover so many bases and the internet allows her to teach skills such as navigation and research. Her school is one of a few who can allow learners to surf the net confidently with minimal trouble. This is because learners are allowed on the net during intervals and after schools. Educators working on administration in the lab also supervise what learners are doing.

So to these educators.....you are making a difference!

EIAWB Coordinators Meeting @ SWMPS

Coordinators meeting re EIAWB together with Facilitators An indepth discussion re EIABW training was done with input from all delegates present. The meeting was held in the Methodists Church - the premises adjacent to Somerset West Methodist PS. The garden was superbly nutured and well looked after and contributed to the more natural approach to resolve issues in the technical and digital world !

Mark even had time to relax in the garden while Bonny and Charlotte enjoyed their early morning Moca Java coffee and Green tea in the Garden of EIAWB Eden discussing the 40% vs 60% division of a certain facilitator. Food was ***** and we want to thank Somerset West Methodist PS for this gesture. Thankx.

The hard technical EIAWB issues took 90% of the time allocated to the meeting, but the Red Rose showed us the beauty of nature - and that this natural environment can easily be displayed on the EIAWB and can contribute to successful Science and Biology curriculum integration on a whiteboard!!

We must remember that Rome was not build in one day, so let us strive to give all educators an EIAWB learners driver's license to drive with a few basic tools at first, not to be a Michael Schumacher Ferrari EAIWB guru now, later.

The only difference between the 2x boards is that the old green / blackboard got chalk for fuel, while the Smart Board got an ELECTRONIC engine. Keep in mind it is a growing process - an EIAWB is not a once done, always done piece of equipment. An oil painting with a small winding road through a forest reminded me that we are on a journey, not @ a destination.

Remember there are 5 role players : Facilitator + Educator + learners + TOOLS + Curriculum. Use a few tools on the toolbar - those that you are comfortable with and achieved with it what is possible NOW. Don’t use all the bells and whistles - JUST THE BASIC TOOLS.

The EIAWB Marrriage should be between the learners and the curriculum. Give them also the basics tools: a teaspoon now and not a wheelbarrow. Start from being a Beginner – then move to an Intermediate user - and eventually an Advaced Guru - then you know the EIAWB + CURRICULUM marriage was a success.

Albie - on a digital journey with an EIAWB and a few tools

Computers older than .....years ...... are ANTIQUES

I want to compliment this gentleman taking the 10x old wss - box and all to the ANTIQUES shop. To upgrade, improve, refit new motherboard or RAM...... no rather replace. There are schools in dire strait for new technology !! Let us improve the LAB with a slightly better ws and technological devices - cost will always be a factor.

Albie