Electronic whiteboard training for educators.

CCA training - March 2012

During the school break the Computer Centre Assistants (click for more info) received  two days of training from the ZSP Team. This training provided  support for the CCAs in developing their role in the Computer Centre and a chance for personal reflection and  goal setting. There was an opportunity for  CCAs to share their experiences and even some advice.

IT Numeracy programme - best practice workshops

The ZSP Team held three workshops for  educators who are delivering the ZSP IT Numeracy programme at their schools. There were separate workshops for grade 4, 5 and 6 educators. The aim of the workshops was to allow educators to ask questions, share their experiences and strategies for teaching and for the ZSP Team to provide detailed curriculum and pedagogical advice.

74 educators from 16 ZSP schools attended over the three days. Educators really appreciated discussing different aspects of the IT Numeracy programme;  planning, delivery, assessments and intervention strategies; with colleagues from different schools.

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!

Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.

Here are the results from an anonymous survey of educators at the Stage II schools after one year of being "actively involved" in the ZSP training and support programme.

"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.

Stage III: And we're off....

During the school holidays last week, the "beginner training" was held for the Stage III schools. This training targeted educators who had little or no prior exposure to technology.

The aim of the training was primarily to banish any fears and to familiarise educators with some basic computer skills. Judging from the laughter and 'high fives' that were abounding during the sessions - I think it worked!!

"Do you want me to email that?"

One year ago, most of the educators at Sonwabo Primary had never used a computer. This time last year the ZSP Team ran training during the school holidays to familiarise the educators with their new technology:  2010 ZSP beginner training

Now in 2011 after a year of support and training...what is the verdict of the staff?

After school I talked to Mrs Nomfundo (left) and Mrs Guga (centre) who were both confidently inputting their grades into their reports. Here are their thoughts..

Mrs Guga..
Mrs Guga was so proud to call herself  "William's oldest pupil"  (William is the ZSP ICT Facilitator for Sonwabo).
" Last year I had to hand write all my reports, now I can type them myself" ( see below!)

Mrs Nomfundo..
"Before (training) I had a computer at home, but I couldn't use it. Now I take my work home using my memory stick."

" It's nice to be independent and do my own work (using the computer)"
When asked what she had thought one year ago, "I never dreamed that I would be able to do this"

Overhead while Mrs Nomfundo and Mrs Guga were working "Do you want me to email that?". After further questioning, Mrs Nomfundo explained she was now the proud user of a gmail account.

Using ICT to assist with their admin had gone from being a dream to a confident reality!

School Management Team training, Stage I schools

The ZSP Team ran two days of training for the School Management Teams of Eastville, Liesbeeck and Mitchell Heights Primary schools during the first week of the school holidays.

There were a variety of different sessions that explored issues including planning a whole school IT numeracy program, target setting, using IT to promote mental mathematics and evaluating the data produced.

The session varied from group problem solving, ZSP facilitator led school focus groups, Q&A and a practical session using the technology. There was even a guest appearance by the 'ZSP Players' role playing how to plan an IT numeracy curriculum!

The feedback from the schools involved was very positive. Staff appreciated the opportunity to explore, discuss, plan and seek guidance from the ZSP Team on all issues involved in managing a successful school ICT program.

E-literacy training in the school holiday

ZSP Stage III - Preparing to Fly workshop

Thank you to Mr Moore & Sullivan Primary for hosting the event.

Beyond the learners: E-literacy for all staff

Thanks to Thomas Wildscutt Junior Primary for the pictures and quotes.

Beginner Training for Educators

Throughout the September school holidays, the ZSP facilitators and Lab Assistants have been running training for educators from the Stage II schools. The purpose of this training was to provide educators, who are not as confident with technology, with a gentle introduction to the new computers. The educators were given a specially designed program with individual attention from the ZSP staff. The training was held at Thomas Wildschutt Junior school and neighbouring schools who kindly opened their facilities for the training. 

Teaching for the future

Last week the ZSP Team and the new Lab Assistants had the pleasure of introducing the newly installed technology to the staff of Thomas Wildschutt Junior. The staff were given an introduction into how they can use the interactive electronic whiteboards that have arrived at the school.

The aim of the first session was to allow the staff to play with and so explore the potential of their new technology.

The feedback from the educators was very positive, there was a real sense of excitement in the sessions.

Lab Assistant training

A new term

Schools opened again for the new term on Tuesday after a longer than normal 'football induced' winter break.

The Team have been very busy since then visiting all of the schools in the ZSP family:
Intshayelelo
Stage I: Eastville, Liesbeeck, Mitchell Heights
Stage II: Buck Road, Jamaica Way, Prince George, Sonwabo, St Mary's, Sullivan, Thomas Wildschutt and Thomas Wildschutt Junior.

Intshayelelo and Stage I schools' focus is using their technology to help educators improve learners' numeracy and literacy levels. This is done by educators using their time in the ZSP computer lab to  explore and consolidate the concepts that are being taught that week in the classroom.

The Stage II schools are preparing both the infrastructure and the strategies that will allow them to fully utilise the technology that will arrive in the Autumn. Over the next month the ICT Committees at each of the schools will be formulating  important guidelines that will allow the technology to be well managed and sustainable.

The Stage II Champions met yesterday. Two of the highlights were the encouraging stories of excited learners seeing the changes made to their schools over the break and educators constantly asking 'when will our training start?'

Enjoying the GEES...but the work goes on

The whole country is enjoying the "GEES" ( Afrikaans for 'spirit' ) generated by the Football World Cup. 300 000 people were in Cape Town for the Germany v Argentina game on Saturday.

In the midst of the football frenzy that is engulfing Cape Town, work is progressing both on the infrastructure at the schools and in the planning of the training for educators.

Service providers have been industriously fitting worksurfaces, adding security features, painting walls, finishing floor surfaces, putting in electrical and data cabling. When educators and learners arrive back at school on Tuesday they will be surprised at the transformation.

The ZSP Team have been planning the training schedule for the Stage II schools. The training has two parts; the e-literacy program and the educational software program. During the school holidays the ZSP Team have been analysing the results of the e-literacy evaluation that every Stage II school staff member completed. Training has been devised to account for the different levels of IT experience and confidence found at each school.

Well done South Africa on being an incredible host nation for the World Cup!!

Winter break.

The schools break up tomorrow for a longer than usual winter break. Schools have been given extra time off due to the Soccer World Cup. We wish all the staff and learners a good break and hopefully Bafana Bafana (the South African National football team) will put on a good show!

Work on the infrastructure will carry on during the school break. You will be able to follow the progress on blog; just click on the Stage II school's pages and on the ZSPs photo gallery.
ZSP photo gallery ( this link is also on the side bar of the blog)

The ZSP Team will be reviewing the staff e-literacy evaluation forms carried out by all staff at the Stage II schools. This review will allow the Team to design an e-literacy training program for each staff member.

Staff e-literacy survey

One of the strategic objectives of ZSP Stage II is to enable teachers to reach a competent level of computer literacy.

In order to provide teachers with a personalised program to develop their e-literacy..we need to know what they know! The team has devised an e-literacy survey to allow all teachers from the novice to the Einstein to show their current skills and confidence when using ICT.

Staff-E-literacy-Evaluation  click here to see the survey.

The ZSP Champion in each school is ensuring that we get an evaluation from all of the staff (teaching and non-teaching) at their school. The team will analyse the responses and plan the training accordingly. The team want all staff to be stimulated and to develop..not be bored or feel the training is over their head.

'Preparing to fly' Training Workshop

On Saturday 17th April, the ZSP stage II schools joined together for a training workshop titled 'Preparing to fly' run by the ZSP team. Each school was represented by their Principal, ICT Champion and a member of the ICT Committee. We were excellently hosted by Capricorn Primary School.

During the morning we looked at how roles within school would change as a result of schools joining the ZSP, we considered factors that would influence the success of ZSP at the schools and the schools shared their hopes and fears about the ZSP. Each group was given an opportunity to positively summarise their school, you will be able to see their contributions on their individual pages over the next few days.