Busy learners.

Although it is the last week of Term 1, these grade 3 learners at Jamaica Way Primary School are still busy with their IT Numeracy lesson.

One year on...

It is encouraging to see learners using the technology. It is obvious from the video that technology promotes learner concentration and engagement.

But is this intervention helping the learners learn?

The information below is from a selection of Grade 6 learners from one of the schools in the Zisukhanyo Schools Project. It shows a snap shot of what they could accomplish in Feburary 2011 and then again in May 2012.

The sums they are doing are set at the appropriate level of difficulty and we have only recorded the correct answers. The results speak for themselves.

Voices from the ZSP schools

This video was shown at the ZSP Stage II &II Control Board.

Visit of Dr. Zola Skweyiya, the S.A. High Commissioner in the U.K.

The Protea Education Development Project Chairman, Danny Gallagher, hosted a visit by Dr. Zola Skweyiya, the S.A. High Commissioner in the U.K. to two of the ZSP schools.

Dr. Zola Skweyiya visited Sonwabo Primary in Gugulethu and Mzamomhle Primary in Phillipi where he was able to see the impact of this Project on the schools, and the wider communities, for himself.

Staff and learners from the schools proudly talked about the changes  and showed how lessons have improved since the introduction of the technology and the e-literacy and IT curriculum training. Dr. Skweyiya was very impressed with the development at both schools. He talked to some of  the staff at Sonwabo, where he reflected on his early days growing up in Gugulethu. Dr. Skweyiya shared his appreciation of how he has seen the school and its community being uplifted through the Zisukhanyo Schools Project.

Integration is the key to success.

A picture of concentration.

Personalised learning

Technology is a great tool to allow personalised learning for all learners. Every child can work at their own pace and at a level suited to their ability. It is particulary effective in supporting learners who require more intensive support.

The learner below is able to work  independently in the Computer Centre, whereas she needs constant support from her teacher in class. Her teacher reports that this learner is able to gain a huge sense of achievement  from successfully completing the IT numeracy activities on her own.

Keen to learn

"When can WE use the computers?" (part 1)

Since the infrastructure has been completed at the Stage III schools, we have been told that the constant question from learners at all of the schools has been "When can we use the computers ?"

There were two weeks of initial teacher training at the start of this term to familiarise teachers with the new procedures and software. But as of Monday 24th....well see below!

The teacher training is continuing as both learners and teachers explore this new way of learning.

22nd August: a day in pictures

" I got more today than I did yesterday !"

Term 3 started this week and at all of the ZSP Schools learners were hard at work with their numeracy lessons in the Computer Centres.

During a Grade 4 multiplication lesson in the Computer Centre at St Mary's Primary, Asheeqah George (pictured right) stopped William Page (ZSP Facilitator) and proudly announced   

" I got more today than I did yesterday" .

One of the Project's Strategic Objectives is " Assistance to be provided in raising standards of literacy and numeracy". This proud comment from Asheeqah shows that it is vital to motivate and encourage learners to take ownership of their learning if progress is to be made.

Technology is not the only intervention that can be used to raise numeracy and literacy standards, but when it is thoughtfully integrated into the curriculum and used with accountability, technology can be a very powerful tool.

Well done Asheeqah!!

In their own words: A learner's perspective (part 2)

This video is of Juliana from Sonwabo Primary, explaining how the ZSP technology at her school has impacted upon her learning experience.

The second video is of Luke, a learner at Jamaica Way Primary. He is showing his expertise at a mental maths exercise! Would you be that quick to answer questions on the times tables?

In their own words: A learner's perspective (part 1)

This is Stephen from Thomas Wildschutt Senior, his own words with no scripting!

You can also see this video here on You Tube.

Don't waste even a minute...

Learners at Thomas Wildschutt Senior are taking full advantage of their technology. Normally interval is a break from studying, a chance to relax. Not at this school!

The learners love using the computers so much that the Computer Centre is full for every interval. If you don't get to the Computer Centre quickly - you could miss out.

You may think the learners just want to play- far from it. Learners are taking the time to research information for projects, design and produce documents or even more impressively...practise their numeracy speed tests.

It is so exciting to see young people so enthused about learning.



Using technology: Parent and child classes

Mrs Bevie, Jamaica Way Primary, has so enjoyed using the electronic whiteboard in her classroom for lessons that she has started a new initiative. She has arranged a couple of Saturday sessions where parents and learners can attend to develop how they can work together on school work at home.

Reviews from the ZSP Schools

Schools have been back for three weeks now. Educators and learners at all of the ZSP Schools are getting into a regular pattern of using their Computer Centre to compliment their numeracy lessons.

We think that it is about time we asked the educators and learners what they think about their numeracy lessons in the Computer Centre:

"Excitement for mathematics is returning for the learners."

"Learners realise they must go home and learn their timestables"

" Gets learners thinking outside of the box"

Learners show "more confidence"

 Buck Road Primary School.


“In the computer centre we test the work we do in our class, it is a lot of fun for we to work on the mathematics sums.”  Epiphane Furaha, 7b

“I enjoy working on the  mathematics speed tests because it is fun and I always try to improve my speed test score.” Chris Mampassi, 6a

“I can't play games in the computer centre, but enjoy the mathematics speed test” Thareeq Yon, 5a

 Thomas Wildschutt Senior School

St Mary's Primary School

Concentration

One of the Strategic Objectives of this Project is to improve the numeracy and literacy results in the ZSP schools.

This is a Grade 5 class at Thomas Wildshutt Senior School doing a Numeracy Speed Test (see Speed Test post). It is the concentration of this leaner that is noteworthy, his total focus on getting the best possible score (although he is not alone in his efforts as you can see from the surrounding learners).

One of the aims of ZSP is to allow technology to be an effective tool for educators in their mathematics teaching, the role of the ZSP Curriculum Team is to provide the training and support to allow this to happen.

Five years later....

The computer centre at Intshayelelo Primary School was officially opened in September 2005. This was over five years ago...what is the feedback from the school today?

" It is not a secret that our school has improved in all learning areas in general and

 literacy in particular. The use of the computer room has broadened the knowledge

 of both educators and learners." Mr VS Gantsho, Principal.

" Using the computer room in teaching learners helps me a lot... the learners become more interested to learn than when listening to the educator talking in the classroom" Mngxekeza T.

"It (computer room) provided us with a variety of activities that we were unable to do in class." Mbaba M

Speed tests

The one of the main curriculum foci for the ZSP labs is numeracy.  Speed  tests are a key strategy that we are using to assist educators with improving the numeracy of their learners. The speed tests are carried out at the start and end of a lesson in the ZSP lab.

(Thanks to William for the pictures)

Feedback from the educators:
"After two weeks of computer classes, I have to say that the entire school day has changed completely. Kids are excited and getting competitive to achieve higher results in the 191 speed tests." Majdi Ryklief, Thomas Wildschutt Senior.
(For more pictures see the Thomas Wildschutt Senior website)