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from the Advisers
Daily Log of Andree Jordan, e-LAPA Adviser for Retief High
School, Thabo Mofutsanyana District
Thursday 21st October
Arrived in Free State. Met at the airport. Smooth transfer.
Taken to Guest House, then to Education Building. Spent the
afternoon at St Bernard’s School. First impressions
– lovely students, hard working atmosphere. Visited
by Bertha Kitching in the evening. Felt very welcome.
Friday 22nd October
Taken to Gelukwaarts School. It is inspiring how much a leader
with Vision, tenacity and perseverance can do. It rained while
we looked at the Tunnels for growing vegetables. Then it thundered
and we enjoyed a drive back in the rain up mud roads! Not
at all English
Saturday 23rd October
Cultural visit to the Art Gallery – the art was inspiring,
and the photos in the Reservoir were thought provoking. There
was a wedding being prepared there and it looked beautiful.
Then went to the Botanical Gardens in Bloemfontein. Enjoyed
the walk and the view. Lovely evening out with friends enjoying
the night sky and stimulating conversation
Sunday 24th October
Taken to CFC church in Bloemfontein. A wonderfully uplifting
experience with a message very similar to our own: change
mind sets! Meeting on Sunday afternoon was both exciting and
anxiety raising, but felt uplifted by the whole atmosphere
and the morning’s meeting.
Monday 25th October
Driven to Kestell – had time to discuss issues with
Chantelle and look at the scenery and wildlife.
Gave welcome at whole school staff meeting including introduction,
description of project and collection of 29 mind maps.
Gave grade 8 staff meeting explaining of project and organizing
of timetable.
Taken out to the Ship restaurant beside the Jordan river
(my namesake!) It has been dammed there to make a large lake
– very beautiful.
Tuesday 26th October
Discussed days events over breakfast and drive to school.
Staying 40 minutes away has its advantages and disadvantages.
I would prefer to be nearer – but then Free State means
space!
Gave concept maps with grade 8s in the Hall
Explained of “Sights and Sounds of Free State”
to grade 8s, followed by filling in of planning worksheets.
Explained of “Learners can make a difference”
to grade 8s, followed by filling in of sheets for this.
Worked with teachers in the class room, trying to integrate
the project into the lessons they had prepared.
Worked in ICT rooms with learners who were starting to put
their work into Word.
Had interview with reporter from “Volksblad”
newspaper abut the project with the e-LAPA adviser to raise
awareness of the project in the community. Thought very carefully
about what I said – telling the world that there is
lots of equipment here may NOT be a good idea!
Prepared work with students in the hall discussing their
Presentations, Dances, Dramas etc. that they wanted to do.
Was taken on a trip with six students to the Basotho Cultural
Village so students could take us round a virtual tour on
video, and take pictures of the village for use in the project.
It was very interesting – eye opening! Saw a Kite
on a pole but did not get the chance to take a photo. Drank
various foods! (Lovely faces of those who could not enjoy
it!)
Driving to school saw a fire in the Veld – apparently
it’s very common.
Had a Braaai at school in the evening where we had an informal
discussion with teaching staff on teaching methods in the
UK, lots of wonderful food and singing of traditional songs
– some English and Cockney! I did not think I would
be going half way round the world to do that!
Wednesday 27th October
Weather changed – cold! Worked on capturing data with
the students and teachers in the hall all day. Involved the
digital videoing of many performances and taking of over 90
pictures
Had briefing meeting with grade 8s to tell them what they
needed to do tomorrow.
Took a grade 8 staff meeting at end of day to discuss with
staff what they needed to do tomorrow.
Filled out use of ICT questionnaires with all year 8 staff
Visited Camorhi to gather pictures of African wildlife.
It was amazing!
We sat in an open Cart like two jeeps welded together, with
8 people in it and a driver. Imagine this driving over hilly
fields at great speeds with nothing to hold you in except
your own power to hold onto the pole at your side! We saw
Rhino, Buffalo, Wildebeest – blue and black, wild cat,
wild dog, and giraffe. In cages we saw a leopard. We were
told we could touch it. I stretched forward to touch her and
she grabbed my coat – lying a little too near on the
ground! We saw lion and white lion. Then it started to thunder
so we drove back. By the time we got back to the lodge I was
slightly wet and my hands were freezing. There I saw and HELD
a white lion cub 9 days old! Later we saw it being fed. Wonderful!
Drove back in driving rain. Opened the window to film Buffalo
and got VERY wet!
Went to an SGB Budget meeting at school and met with parents
to describe project and raise awareness of the project in
the community. Very interesting to hear the concerns of the
school. Felt privileged to be allowed to listen in.
Thursday 28th October
Grade 8s put work onto Word, and learnt to copy and paste
pictures in from a folder on the network.
They wrote or presented their sights sounds and tastes of
Free State
They wrote or presented their application for e-Citizenship
They wrote up plans of their presentations and gave evaluations
of them – leading to assessment outcomes of their work:
working with others, being sensitive, etc.
Went to choir presentation at local Christmas concert with
many schools and organizations there – VERY enjoyable.
Went back to Guest House and worked on report.
Friday 29th October
Met with SMT (Deputy Head) to discuss and plan out ICT Development
Plan
Prepared for training session with grade 8 staff
Said farewell to staff at break time. Ate Vetkoek. Gave
out my finger biscuits. Was presented with a picture of me
and all the grade eight learners and teachers and everyone
involved in the project.
Train teachers on Interactive Whiteboard, Word, Power point,
Publisher and ActivBoard
Discussed use of ICT in the class room and possible exchange
projects
Led an evaluation meeting of the project so far with the
teachers
Met with ICT coordinators to train on whiteboard, discuss
methods of ICT training for the curriculum. All were very
grateful and were sad to say goodbye even though I have caused
disruption and chaos throughout the week. Highlights have
been seeing the work the children have done, and tow comments
from teachers:
“You would never have thought that the children
could do any of this! And all in a few days”
With a smile on their face:
“I am now using computers for the first
time!”
Other staff agreed this was true!
Reports from the Project Advisory Team
Here are some reports from the MirandaNet team: more will
follow.
- Andree Jordan,
e-Lapa Adviser for Retief High School
- David Thomas,
e-Lapa Adviser for Heilbron School, Heilbron
- Mara Chrystie,
e-Lapa Adviser for Gelukwaarts School, Van Stadensrus
- John Cuthell,
e-Lapa Adviser for Ikanyegeng Combined School, Ratanang
- David Jordan
, e-Lapa Adviser for Marallaneng School, Ficksburg
- Mara Chrystie,
e-Lapa Adviser for Unitas Welkom
- Tom Rank,
e-Lapa Adviser for St Bernard’s High School, Motheo
District
- Lawrence Williams,
e-Lapa Adviser for Retshedisitswe
Article in the Volksblad, October 28th
2004
World ECitizens Newsletter
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