EIAWB + Data Projector cable issue - 180x

Due to the DAILY attachment operation between a data projector cable and the laptop, things will go wrong and bend ! The "heavy" black data cable also can contribute to the following set of photos. A quick calculation is that in one week the cable get plugged in 5x; in a month 20x times and in a year more than 180x !!! Question is : "Will in last these thin needle poined copper pins ?

Strike! while the iron is hot

Kwamfundo High school took every opportunity to get in as must tutoring and revision as possible. Here grade 11 learners are being put through their paces. "We must get these learners to learn as much as possible. Now!" Ms Gungqisa, maths HOD says. "We must strike while the iron is hot" is her belief. Throwing everything at the learners that she can muster, she feels that ICT can still help the learner to improve their understanding of difficult concepts.


At Zola, the maths software was reinstalled. Mr Matwa did not wait for anybody else and lead by example. He registered his grade 12 mathematical literacy learners and got them to work immediately. From here the maths programme was extended to his classroom where he will teach with it using a data projector. The rest of the mathematics educators will undergo more training to become more effective users of this resources in their classroom.

The GIS educator at Chris Hani is an avid user of ICT in her lessons. Most of the time she uses her Interactive Whitboard. This time she brought he class to the lab to use the GIS software. Opening up maps of South Africa, she got learners to navigate to the relevant information that they required to complete their task on various aspects of the South African socio-economic conditions.

At Malibu, a different type of excitement is evident. Mr Wyngaardt managed to get the Starboard working again. Being a man of persistance, he does not give up easily when something does not work. "I want this thing to work today still. " he told the Life Sciences Educator. While Mr Esbe was taking weaker learners through their paces with the maths software, Mr Wyngaard remarked how the Applets on Electrodynamics and Diffraction will work on this board.

Are we now starting to see a conversion from traditional teaching methods such as chalk-and-talk sage-on-stage to more interactive e-learning experiences? I think so, but it is a very slow process.

ICT - WHAT'S THE POINT?

ICT across the curriculum - is a key aim for all schools. The use of ICT in the classroom is not an optional extra; it SHOULD BE a National Curriculum requirement.

ICT - Information Communication Technology - is the technical term given to the use of computers in education. The 'Communication' part is a fairly recent addition to take account of the connected nature of the Internet.

As teachers, ICT can bring enormous benefits to the class. From an educational aspect, the use of computers brings dynamism to lessons, putting pupils more in control of their learning, permitting independent progress and development. If used effectively, ICT can be an incredible tool for every single subject. From the pupils' aspect, the response can be seen immediately.

Whilst such keenness is a welcome benefit, if pupils are entering a lesson with such a positive attitude the learning potential is already increased. The interactive nature of computers allows pupils to become more involved, permitting effective and active learning

Yet it is vital to see ICT as another tool available for the teacher - it is not the answer for everything. ICT should be used in combination with more traditional teaching techniques. Similarly the chosen ICT activity is also vital - just sitting a child in front of a PC and expecting them to teach themselves is useless.

INTERACTIVITY - effective use of ICT in the classroom makes pupils feel they are in control. Not of the class, but in terms of independent learning. They can see the results of CAMI and KHANYA LTSM immediately in front of them.

SUITABILITY - see ICT as another additional tool available to you - yet an interactive and dynamic tool. With sensible use, the educational benefits are immense.

BACKUP PLAN - always have something just in case things go wrong. A paper based activity that can be given out. Problems are bound to occur if you don't plan.

Brooklands Primary still on the go!

Brooklands Primary school learners are using CAMI Maths SpeedTest to sharpen their Mental skills. This Mental skills activity was followed by basic operations acivity in CAMI Maths ( Keystrokes: 1.3.8.3; 1.4.6.1). The educators and learners of Brooklands Primary have been using the lab to its fullest potential for a number of years now. The Principal ( Mrs H. Links) is very much involved with implementation of curriclum integration in the lab through her diligent ICT committee led by Mr Earl Norman. Educators at this school feel that they are ready to embrace any new technology or software available on the market. They boldly yearn for Electronic InterActive Whiteboard to use it for Literacy and Numeracy consolidation activities.

Interactive Whiteboard is an ideal tool for teaching at schools

Our world is changing, and information and communication technology (ICT) is central
to this change. These advances in ICT have dramatically changed the learning and teaching process, and have expanded new learning opportunities and access to educational resources
beyond those traditionally available.

Researchers have concluded that ICT has become one of the main building blocks worldwide as it permeates the business environment, underpins the success of modern corporations, and provides governments with an efficient infrastructure. ICT is viewed as a tool bringing dramatically changes in organisations and departments. The introduction of ICT to our schools has created new possibilities for learners and educators to engage in new ways of information selection, gathering and teaching.

Educators in Khayelitsha seem to agree with the above statements as they embraced the new technologies at their schools. Educators are showing the variety of activities that can be done using the Interactive Whiteboards. Technology is not there at schools to replace nor threaten educators but it is seen as one of the tools/resources to enhance teaching and learning.