MirandaNet Fellows in Free State, South Africa
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E-Teaching is established in Free State schools
Article in the Volksblad Newspaper, October 28th 2004
Andree Jordan
was interviewed by the press!
 The
Free State Department of Education has joined with a British
colleague to start a pilot project in ten of the local schools.
The aim of the project is to properly establish electronic
teaching in the schools then to develop it further to other
schools so that by 2010, 99% of the students in the province
(county) will have access to e-teaching.
The education department and its overseas colleague, MirandaNet,
an independent international body of experts in education
and technology, started the pilot project, e-Lapa, in two
high schools in each of the five districts. This project sprouted
up due to the co-operation and collaboration between the Free
State department of education and the British Education Suppliers
Association (BESA).
Approximately R2.5 million rand (+/- £230,000) was
invested by the education department to improve the school
computer centres, this is to develop them and to add to the
current facilities. This was to allow for internet access,
e-teaching, e-mail, web-cameras, digital cameras, interactive
whiteboards, projectors.
Officials of the department of education and specialists
at MirandaNet are working in the school this week and next
to develop the understanding and working of the facilities.
They are also assisting with the development of web based
teaching materials, they are also giving guidance in the use
of information technology in lessons and the curriculum.
The development of e-teaching to all Free State school will
start next year. It is intended that 99% of the provinces
students in 1400 schools will have e-teaching facilities established
by 2010.
The pilot schools and their trained teachers will be used
as role models for the rest of the province. In March next
year a conference has been organised, it will be used to develop
and share knowledge of e-teaching with teachers in the Free
State.
This project will enable schools, teachers and students
to become part of an international network for shared teaching,
lesson plans and knowledge.
Three teachers and three students from each of the pilot
schools will also attend the annual international seminar
and exhibition of e-teaching, of the British Educational Technology
Trust in London.
Mrs Andree Jordan, a member of MirandaNet who is training
students and teachers at Retief High school, says that with
e-teaching the students and teachers also have an opportunity
to become true and registered citizens of the e-world. Mr
Abrie Beukes, the headteacher of the school, says this is
an opportunity in a thousand for the school, students and
teachers alike. One of the students, Moalasi Makhalanyane,
agrees saying that with the computers he can realise his career
dreams.
Project open the world to year 8 students
With the Free State education department and its overseas
colleague, MirandaNet’s e-lapa a pilot programme for
e-teaching, a whole new world has opened up to many year 8
students.
A week and a half ago 189 students from Maralleneng, Meqheleng
and Fiksburg High Schools only knew of the existence of computers
but they had never had the opportunity to work on one. With
e-lapa this changed overnight, with a newly developed and
equipped computer centre, In the classroom the students hang
onto every word of the instructors, Mr Hein de Lange of the
Free State education department and Mr Dave Jordan a teacher
from London, who is also a consultant for MirandaNet.
Within days the students had learnt how to complete a varied
range of tasks on the computers, including communicating with
student in Britain. “It is wonderful” says the
15 year old Rosa Mkohomo from the year 8 computer class “I
feel special, it is amazing.” She is craving to learn
and w ants to know more and more.
De Lange and Jordan say the students enthusiasm, motivation
and the rapid pace at which they learn is amazing. “The
students here are all willing and friendly . There are no
discipline problems. If only I could get a class like this
in an English school. You just do not get that in Britain.”
says Mr Jordan. He goes on to say “ There is now a calmness
and openness in S.A. In conversations with people I hear about
problems but I now see more brick houses in the townships.
It is pleasing.” One thing that does worry him is resources,
it is vital if they want to achieve the best outcomes and
make the project a complete success.
Volksblad newspaper
Free State
28th October 2004
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 Guardian, March 15th 2005
World ECitizens Newsletter
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