Curriculum innovation: sharing the success.

Recently Sonwabo Primary hosted a visit by a delegation of Eastern Cape Education Department officials and principals. The Western Cape Education Department had invited the delegation to Sonwabo Primary  to showcase how the school was successfully using technology to assist with their numeracy programme.

After a short explanation about ZSP from one of the ZSP Team, the delegation moved into the computer centre.

Mthuthuzeki, Sonwabo Primary's ICT Champion, explained how the ZSP IT Numeracy programme ran at Sonwabo and what impact it had made on both the staff and learners.There were many questions as the visitors were clearly interested to see how well the technology had been integrated into the curriculum. The delegation were also impressed that despite all the distractions the learners in the computer centre kept working on their numeracy exercises!

What they saw in action really made an impact on all of the Eastern Cape visitors, "I was blown away" was one of the comments.

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.

A week full of potential..

This week 393 numeracy lessons will take place in the ZSP Computer Centres, while educators in 42 classrooms will make use of alternative technology throughout the week in all subjects.

Happy learning!!

Lifelong learning

Meet Mr Dam, he is the caretaker at one of the ZSP Stage III schools. 

One of the Project's strategic objectives is that all educators will acquire a competent level of computer literacy. However all staff, teaching and non-teaching, are encouraged to attend the e-literacy training provided by the ZSP IT Facilitators. We have seen a huge interest from non teaching staff at all of the Stage III schools as the e-literacy training has started this term.   Mr Dam is one of the non teaching staff who has taken up the opportunity to develop his computing skills and he is enjoying every minute of it!

Community ICT Technicians

One of the Project's strategic objectives is that young matriculants from the local community are recruited and trained as ICT Technicians
.

 The Project provides comprehensive support to these ICT learnerships.

The Community ICT Techncians are provided with "on the job" experience that they gain at the ZSP schools where their skills are developed by shadowing the ZSP Technical Team. Additionally the learnership candidates receive mentoring from and group training sessions with the ZSP Technical Team.

The IT learnership programmes involves periods of college based study. The Community ICT Techncians attend IT techncial courses and sit examinations which - when passed - result in internationally recognised IT qualifications being awarded.

Keen to learn

2012: Eager to start!

The 2012 school year started for educators on Monday of this week and for learners today (Wednesday). There is a sense of excitement  in the schools at the start of this new year.

The ZSP Team has been working to ensure that there is smooth start to the year for all of the ZSP schools. The ZSP Technical Team have ensured all the technology is deployed after the holidays and is ready for the educators and learners to start their Computer Centre lessons.

We are pleased to report that due the precautions put in place by the schools, the Western Cape Education Department and the ZSP Team, there has been no vandalism or damage at any of the ZSP schools over the long school holiday.

Welcome back!

Thank you for your support in 2011

This has been a very busy and productive year in the life of the Zisukhanyo Schools Project.

We would like to thank all the visitors to our blog for your interest in this Project.

We hope that you have enjoyed sharing in our journey throughout 2011.

We look forward to sharing more with you in 2012.

We would like to wish you a safe and peaceful festive season.

 Here is a 2012 ZSP calendar that you can download and print.

Download the ZSP 2012 calendar